Last Updated on August 11, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
Check out the top 23 LGBTQ Christian books of 2019 — including theology, Bible, memoir, church life and history by diverse authors. The list was announced today by lesbian Christian author Kittredge Cherry at Qspirit.net. The book list is followed by cool and hard-to-find new gifts.
“Insightful and inspiring new LGBTQ Christian voices emerged this year,” Cherry said. “Queer theology continued to be a hot topic and LGBTQ Bible books made a comeback. Novels were also big in 2019.”
[Update on Dec. 10: Books added later increased the total to 24 books.] The 2019 books ranged from user-friendly guides to serious academic studies. They come from a wide variety of authors in the mainline Protestant, evangelical, and Catholic traditions from the United States, Australia and Europe.
“I’m always grateful for the amazing quantity and variety of LGBTQ Christian titles when I compile my annual book list,” Cherry said. “What was once marginal has gone mainstream. What began as a trickle of marginalized titles has become an avalanche!”
Q Spirit’s annual list of the year’s top LGBTQ Christian books is more valuable than ever because it keeps getting harder to find them by title. ,” Cherry pointed out that some of the top books have vague titles that don’t alert readers to their LGBTQ content.
2019 LGBTQ Christian books have heart
Another trend was revealed by book covers: Hearts are featured prominently in the cover art for four different books. “Many of the year’s authors wrote with heart,” Cherry said. “They touch our hearts and emotions by writing with courageous passion directly from their own hearts.”
Gifts are selling almost as well as books. For the first time, LGBTQ Christian gifts made it onto the bestseller list. They include mugs, icons and T-shirts. It may be a sign of the times, in line with the overall US publishing trend of declining book sales in recent years.
Books costing more than $100 are omitted from this list. LGBTQ Christian publishing continues to evolve, but one unwelcome trend never changes: Prices kept on rising. Publishers charged $100 or above for more and more academic books. Due to complaints from readers, no books with $100 price-tags were allowed on this year’s top-books list. The list also tries to screen out books that claim homosexuality is a sin.
“The 2019 list has something for everyone who cares about LGBTQ Christian lives.” Cherry concluded. “Happy reading!”
2019 LGBTQ Christian Bestsellers
(Ranked by orders on Q Spirit and related sites as of Nov. 29, 2019)
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
1. “One Coin Found: How God’s Love Stretches to the Margins” by Emmy Kegler.
A queer pastor wrestles with scripture and finds that God welcomes everyone. She knows the Bible can be used to exclude because she grew up in both progressive Protestant and conservative evangelical churches, but scripture continues to inspire her. Includes a bibliography with suggested books for further reading. Foreword by Rachel Held Evans. The author is a Lutheran pastor in Minneapolis and editor of Queer Grace online encyclopedia. Published by Fortress Press, the official publisher for the Lutheran Church.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
2. “Queer Theologies: The Basics” by Chris Greenough.
An intelligent, accessible overview is provided. Chapters cover the development of queer theologies, queering “traditional” theology, queer theologies in global contexts, queer Bible, and queer theologies from queer lives. The glossary and suggestions for further reading and online resources will enhance understanding. The wide-ranging book aims to reach general readers as well as students, academics, clergy and church congregants. The author is senior lecturer in theology and religion at Edge Hill University in Lancashire, England. Published by Routledge.
3. “Bobbi and Soul” by J.B. Marsden.
A feisty clergywoman’s love for a woman doctor faces obstacles in this new lesbian romance novel. The rural Colorado doctor is drawn to the Episcopal priest after she meddles with treatment of patients. A few parishioners at the church that she pastors want to impose a celibacy requirement, but this novel celebrates erotic and spiritual love between women. The author took up writing after her retirement as an Episcopal priest and health systems faculty member. Published by Sapphire Books.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
4. “God’s Beloved Queer: Identity, Spirituality, and Practice” by Rolf Nolasco.
Building an identity as a queer person who is loved by God is the theme of this interdisciplinary work. A “hermeneutics of retrieval” offers a queer reading of key theological concepts. It also draws from psychology, spirituality, anthropology and brain studies. Psycho-spiritual practices are included. Nolasco is professor of pastoral theology at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Foreword by Ken Wilson, co-founder of Ann Arbor Blue Ocean Church. Published by Wipf and Stock.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
5. “Bayard and Martin: A Historical Novel About Friendship and the Civil Rights Movement” by Frederick Williams, Lane Denton, and Sterling Zinsmeyer.
Would Martin Luther King consider the LGBTQ movement a civil rights issue? The answer is a resounding yes in this new historical novel. It is written in the first-person voice of trailblazing black gay pacifist Bayard Rustin by a trio of authors. Rustin was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for civil rights. Pushed into the background because he was openly gay, followed the Quaker faith and brought Gandhi-style non-violent protest techniques to the movement for racial equality, becoming a close advisor to Martin Luther King. Each co-author brings an important perspective to the novel: Frederick Williams helped establish the African American studies department at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Here he teams up with Texas legislator Lane Denton and AIDS activist Sterling Zinsmeyer. Published by Jaed Publications.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
6. John Henry Newman mug by Drinklings Coffee Mugs Etsy shop.
Newly canonized gay saint John Henry Newman’s face appears with his words of wisdom on a mug released just in time for his official canonization ceremony at the Vatican. The British scholar-priest became a Roman Catholic saint on Oct. 13, 2019, amid rampant speculation that he was gay. The mug features his popular quote, “Learn to do thy part and leave the rest to heaven.”
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
7. “Activist Theology” by Robyn Henderson-Espinoza.
Queer intersectional theology brings together church, academy and justice movements in this liberating book. Sources, methods and goals of activist theology are made clear by personal stories from the author, “a queer-identified person who came to understand myself as a non-binary transgender person who is also a mixed-race Latinx.” This rich, interdisciplinary book also features philosophy, critical class theory, and poetry by womanist organizer Brittini “Ree Belle” Gray. Foreword by Nancy Elizabeth Bedford, theology professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Henderson-Espinoza is a theologian and ethicist based in Nashville. Published by Augsburg Fortress Press, publisher for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
8. Mychal Judge icon by Katy Miles-Wallace / Queerly Christian Etsy shop.
Father Mychal Judge, the gay saint of 9/11, has a rainbow halo in an icon created by queer Lutheran artist and seminarian Katy Miles-Wallace as part of her “Queer Saints” series. Judge, chaplain to New York firefighters, died helping others in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Miles-Wallace shows him dressed in a Franciscan robe with the jacket of a fire fighter over one shoulder.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
9. “Jesus Loves Everyone” rainbow T-shirt.
A rainbow Jesus welcomes LGBTQ people with open arms and the message “Jesus loves everyone” on this fabulous T-shirt. It’s a fun way for Christians to proudly display support for LGBTQ people.
Bible books
Added to this list on Dec. 10
“A Place at His Table: A Biblical Exploration of Faith, Sexuality, and the Kingdom of God” by Joel Hollier.
LGBT inclusion, especially in conservative Protestant contexts, is encouraged in this resource. Most of the book is devoted to fresh readings of Biblical clobber passages. It also offers ideas for moving forward and an appendix of heartfelt open letters to parents, pastors, siblings and allies of LGBTQ people. The author was a closeted large-church Anglican pastor who came out as a gay man. He lives in Sydney, Australia, where he is completing a PhD on the experiences of LGBTQ people of faith in the church. Published by Cascade Books.
“Bodies on the Verge: Queering Pauline Epistles” by Joseph A. Marchal (editor).
Queer new options for how to interpret Paul’s letters in sexuality debates are provided in a scholarly way. Key reflections cover two “clobber passages” that have been used to condemn homosexuality (Rom 1:26-27 and 1 Cor 6:9) and demonstrate the relevance of texts throughout the Paul’s writing. Fresh interpretations arise from queer understanding the context of these passages based on history, theology, empire, gender, race, and ethnicity, Editor Joseph A. Marchal is associate professor of religion (and affiliate faculty in women’s and gender studies) at Ball State University. Published by SBL Press.
“Appalling Bodies: Queer Figures Before and After Paul’s Letters” by Joseph A. Marchal.
Paul’s writings in the Bible are often misused to condemn homosexuality, but this scholarly book reframes the letters by looking at marginalized queer figures who appear before, within and after Paul’s letters. It covers trans/androgyne, intersex/eunuch, bottom/slave and terrorist/barbarian. Queer theory provides new ways to think about these complicated figures and the scriptures that discuss them. The author is associate professor of religion (and affiliate faculty in women’s and gender studies) at Ball State University. Published by Oxford University Press
“OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation” by Chris Paige.
A comprehensive look at gender-nonconforming people in the Bible is provided in this new guide. Scholarly yet accessible, the book synthesizes 25 years of transgender-affirming biblical scholarship. Sections cover creation, clobber passages, eunuchs, and Jewish and Christian traditions, with an epilogue on “Living OtherWise Ever After.” The author co-founded TransFaith and published “The Other Side” magazine. Published by Otherwise Engaged.
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price $10 or less
“Christian Faith and Gender Identity: An OtherWise Reflection Guide” by Chris Paige.
This seven-day devotional gently uses the Bible to introduce gender identity for transgender, intersex and other gender-variant people and allies. It invites reflection on seven scriptures (Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, John, Acts, and Galatians) with stories such as Moses at the burning bush, Joseph and the coat of many colors, and Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Each chapter ends with reflection questions for individuals or group discussion. The author is a long-time transgender organizer who wrote “OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation,” the companion volume that was also released in 2019. Published by Otherwise Engaged.
Theology books
“Unlocking Orthodoxies for Inclusive Theologies: Queer Alternatives” by Robert E. Shore-Goss and Joseph N. Goh (editors).
A positive vision affirms that queer inclusion in churches must go beyond assimilation. Chapters come from a diverse group of Asian, Latin American, and U.S. theologians, scholars and activists. They cover God, saints, failure of the church, queer eschatologies, and erotic economies. Shore-Goss is a retired MCC/UCC clergy/theologian and author of multiple books, including “Jesus Acted Up.” Goh is a lecturer in gender studies at Monash University Malaysia. Published by Routledge.
“Embracing Disruptive Coherence: Coming Out as Erotic Ethical Practice” by Kathleen T. Talvacchia.
A queer theological understanding is initiated when a scholar shows how coming out can be understood as erotic truth telling more than a declaration of an LGBTQ identity. The author chaired the Status of LGBTIQ Persons in the Profession committee of the American Academy of Religion. Published by Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf and Stock.
“The Gospel of Inclusion: A Christian Case for LGBT+ Inclusion in the Church” by Brandan J. Robertson.
A comprehensive framework for radical embrace of LGBT+ people in the church is provided through Biblical analysis, theological reflection and cultural evidence. They show that the Christian gospel calls for celebrating the full spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Foreword by David Gushee. An LGBTQ+ person raised in conservative evangelical contexts, the author is pastor of Missiongathering Christian Church in San Diego. His book “True Inclusion” was one on Q Spirit’s list of the top LGBTQ Christian books of 2018. Published by Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf and Stock.
Church, ministry and Christian living books
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price $10 or less
“Love That Dares To Speak: A Five-Session Group Study Course Exploring Christian Reactions to Homosexuality” by Hilary Brand.
Churches can discuss disagreements about homosexuality in a compassionate way by using this small-group discussion guide. Based on a course created by and for the author’s own church, it encourages people to share views and experiences, find out what the Bible really says about being gay and lesbian, re-evaluate marriage and celibacy, and create a welcoming church. The author is a British writer known for a popular series of Lenten courses with a similar format. Published by Darton Longman and Todd.
“Unashamed: A Coming-Out Guide for LGBTQ Christians” by Amber Cantorna.
When LGBTQ Christians come out, they face unique challenges that are addressed in this helpful guide. It tackles tough subjects such as demolishing internalized homophobia/transphobia, finding an affirming faith community, reconnecting with your worth as a child of God, navigating difficult family conversations (especially where family members are church leaders), and coping with the “I love you BUT” attitude of faith-based conditional love. “Unashamed” encourages LGBTQ Christians to celebrate the diversity of God’s creation, including their own sexual orientation and gender identity. The authorwrites from her experience as the lesbian daughter of an executive in the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family. Her book “Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Discovering the True Love of God” was on Q Spirit’s list of the top LGBTQ Christian books of 2017. Published by Westminster John Knox Press.
“Holy Love: A Biblical Theology for Human Sexuality” by Steve Harper.
Bible-based affirmation of covenanted love between couples of all sexual orientations comes from a book that considers all sides. It clearly lays out how the author’s biblical theology, hermeneutics and ministry experience lead to the conclusion that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry in the church. The slim, accessible volume is intended for church leaders, small groups, and interested readers. Now retired as professor of Asbury Theological Seminary, the author has become a significant ally for LGBTQ Methodists. Published by Abingdon Press, an imprint of the United Methodist Church Publishing House.
“Modern Kinship: A Queer Guide to Christian Marriage” by David and Constantino Khalaf.
LGBTQ Christians can find dating and relationship advice in this guide tailored to their needs. The authors are a married gay couple based on Portland, Oregon.i They use the Biblical concept of kinship as a basis for personal reflections, commentary and interviews with a wide variety of LGBTQ people. They struggled to find role models and guidance for their own dating and marriage, so they began the blog that grew into this book for queer people seeking lifelong, God-centered relationships. It makes a great wedding gift. Foreword by Rachel Held Evans. Published by Westminster John Knox Press, official publisher for the Presbyterian Church.
“A Rabbi and a Preacher Go to a Pride Parade: And Other Musings, Sermons, and Such” by Bert Montgomery.
LGBTQ-affirming religious humor combines with holy scripture to challenge the heresy of homophobia here. The author is a Baptist pastor in Starkville, Mississippi. And yes, he and a rabbi really did go to the town’s first-ever Pride parade. Published by Smyth and Helwys.
“We Love You, But You’re Going to Hell: Christians and Homosexuality Agree, Disagree, Take a Look” by Kim O’Reilly.
Conflicts of Christian faith and homosexuality are addressed in a new book whose title sums up what LGBTQ people hear too often: “We Love You, But You’re Going to Hell.” A lesbian Christian author finds that heaven is open to all. Her chapters cover the author’s story, scriptures, stereotypes, marriage, religious freedom, and new directions for families, churches and society. Daughter of an evangelical minister, the author is principal consultant at Intercultural Solutions in Denver. Published by Elm Hill.
“Kenyan, Christian, Queer: Religion, LGBT Activism, and Arts of Resistance in Africa” by Adriaan van Klinken.
Four case studies of grassroots LGBT activism through artistic expression are presented. They show how queer Kenyans are using Christian ideas, texts, symbols and practices to transform black African identities and Christian faith. This book was a major focus of the American Academy of Religion’s 2019 annual meeting. The author is associate professor of religion and African studies at the University of Leeds. Published by Penn State University Press.
Memoir
“Acts of Forgiveness: Faith Journeys of a Gay Priest” by Ted Karpf.
A gay Episcopal priest describes his coming-out journey in 1980s America in this memoir. He describes how he navigated controversy and challenges as a gay father, husband and priest. Karpf retired recently from Boston University School of Theology. He is a public health expert engaging faith-based responses to HIV/AIDS. He served congregations in Washington, Dallas, South Africa and Europe during his career. Foreword by Ray L. Hart, religion professor emeritus at Boston University. Published by Toplight, an imprint of McFarland.
History books
“Dying to Be Normal: Gay Martyrs and the Transformation of American Sexual Politics” by Brett Krutzsch.
Religion’s role in memorializing prominent LGBTQ people such as Harvey Milk and Matthew Shepard is examined by a scholar. He finds that activists applied religious language and imagery to gay martyrs in order to win acceptance and encourage assimilation of LGBTQ people. Many activists tended to mythologize them as model LGBTQ citizens: white, male, gender-normative, monogamous and Christian — thereby excluding others. Some used memorialization to celebrate queer, genderbending values that offended Christian conservatives. The author is visiting assistant professor of religion at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Published by Oxford University Press.
“In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy” by Frederic Martel.
Homophobia and hypocrisy in the Roman Catholic Church are exposed in this major new investigative report. It uncovers the homosexual double lives of many priests at the Vatican, “one of the biggest gay communities in the world.” The more rigidly moralistic and anti-gay a priest is in public, the more likely it is that he is actively engaging in secret homosexual relationships. A French journalist reveals that “the best-kept secret of the Vatican is no secret to Pope Francis,” and quotes the Pope as saying, “Behind rigidity there is always something hidden, in many cases a double life.” This corrupt system provides a key to understanding Catholic sexual abuse, condemnation of contraceptives and many other positions. The author is a French journalist at National Public Radio who did a four-year investigation, including 1,500 interviews with cardinals, bishops and others. Published simultaneously in 8 languages, including Spanish. English version published by Bloomsbury.
Coming soon and available for pre-order
2020 brings new LGBTQ Christian books
“The Galilee Episode: Two Men in One Bed, Two Women Grinding” by Ronald Goetz. Published by Blossom Valley Trumpet.
Feb. 19, 2020
“Queer Religiosities: An Introduction to Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion” by Melissa M. Wilcox. Published by Rowman and Littlefield.
April 15
“Confessions of a Gay Priest: A Memoir of Sex, Love, Abuse, and Scandal in the Catholic Seminary” by Tom Rastrelli. Published by University of Iowa Press.
April 17
“Proclaim! Sharing Words, Living Examples, Changing Lives: An exploration of Episcopal Liturgy from a Black, Queer, Millennial Perspective” by Marcus George Halley. Published by Church Publishing.
Aug. 25
“Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth” by Leigh Finke (editor). Published by Broadleaf Books.
Aug. 25
“Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens” by Leigh Finke (editor). Published by Beaming Books.
Gifts
“Don’t Worry About It” cartoon by David Hayward.
Jesus happily hugs sheep with the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ flag and the pink-and-blue hues of the transgender flag in “Don’t Worry About It” by David Hayward, also known as nakedpastor. Prints of this cartoon and many more by Hayward are available at the Nakedpastor Etsy shop. Q Spirit features his work in the ongoing series LGBTQ Christian cartoons reveal God’s love for all.
A fun new mug says, “Pastor’s Husband,” adding on other side, “I would suggest you not look so surprised.” It was designed for women ministers and their husbands, but it’s perfect for the gay or queer clergy spouse!
Saint Sebastian porcelain oval pendant
A porcelain pendant shows Saint Sebastian, an LGBTQ favorite who is considered the patron saint of gay men. His starkly simplified semi-nude figure looks like a German expressionist woodcut. The oval pendant measures 1.5 inches and comes with braided cord in velvet-lined gift box.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity charm bracelet
Same-sex paired saints Perpetua and Felicity appear together on this bangle bracelet with multiple charms. You can add another saint of your choice and choose other options for the expandable stainless steel wire bangle bracelet. Some believe Perpetua and Felicity are lesbian or queer saints or patrons of same-sex couples. Saints Perpetua and Felicity were North African woman friends who were executed for their Christian faith in the third century. They are named together in the Roman Catholic Canon of the Mass.
Related links
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Top 23 LGBTQ Christian books of 2023 named
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Top 30 LGBTQ Christian books of 2020 named
Top 23 LGBTQ Christian books of 2019 named
Top 30 LGBTQ Christian books of 2018 named
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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?
Copyright © Kittredge Cherry. All rights reserved.
Qspirit.net presents the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBTQ spirituality.
