Last Updated on February 3, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
Check out the top 30 LGBTQ Christian books of 2020 — 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.
“Just looking at this list makes me feel proud,” Cherry said. “The 2020 bestsellers show that the LGBTQ Christian community is successfully reaching young people and becoming more diverse. Queer theology and Biblical interpretation continued to be hot topics.”
[Update on Dec. 9: Books added later increased the total to 30 books.] This year’s books ranged from fun, user-friendly guides to serious academic studies. They come from a wide variety of authors of various races and ages in the mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic and Jewish traditions from the United States, Australia and Europe.
“Q Spirit’s annual list of the year’s best LGBTQ Christian books is more valuable than ever because it keeps getting harder to find them,” Cherry pointed out.
Self-publishing surged in 2020
One major 2020 trend is the rise of self-publishing. Even some major authors are now publishing their own books independently instead of relying on major publishers. The content can be just as good, but these books usually lack the major marketing muscle of big publishers. That makes them more difficult to find.
“The Q Spirit list is here to help,” Cherry affirmed. “The challenge is to locate the gems amid a seemingly endless sea of self-published LGBTQ spiritual books.”
She pointed out another obstacle: Books from all kinds of publishers now tend to have vague, generic titles that hide their queer spiritual identity.
Lower prices help readers during lockdown
More low-priced books published independently in 2020 — offsetting the continued rise in prices for books from large publishers and academic presses. This year’s list contains more “bargain alerts” for paperbacks under $10 than ever before as of Dec. 3, 2020. In keeping with society’s increasing polarization, cheap books and expensive books have both become more plentiful, while there are fewer mid-priced books. Due to complaints from readers, all books costing more than $100 are banned from the list.
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown turns out to be a good time for reading and writing, solitary pursuits that can be done in the safety of one’s own home.
“The 2020 list has something for everyone who cares about LGBTQ Christian lives,” Cherry concluded. “Happy reading!”
2020 LGBTQ Christian Bestsellers
(Ranked by number of books ordered on Qspirit.net and related sites as of Dec. 3, 2020. Print and e-book orders combined. Must be a new release in 2020.)
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
1. “The Galilee Episode: Two Men in One Bed, Two Women Grinding” by Ronald Goetz.
The historical Jesus discussed same-sex couples as the targets of legal persecution in the so-called “rapture” verses (Luke 17:34-35), according to this ground-breaking and well-researched Bible study. Pro-LGBTQ Bible scholars usually ignore this passage, but Goetz reveals that Jesus was speaking about how lesbian and gay couples were arrested and received differing legal treatment (one taken, the other left). The book exposes detailed evidence from each of the three major sources for first-century Palestine (the Talmud, the gospels and Josephus). Disagreement among New Testament scribes about homosexuality led to cover-ups and centuries of denial — until now. Calling himself a “recovering fundamentalist,” the seminary-trained author is a former board member of PFLAG and GLSEN who served one year as a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor and 13 days in jail for civil disobedience. Published by Blossom Valley Trumpet.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
2. “Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens” by Leigh Finke (editor).
LGBTQ teens are assured that their queerness is part of God’s plan in this fun, enlightening and compassionate guide for young people ages 12 and up. A broad range of LGBTQ religious issues are covered, including Biblical arguments, church reactions, conversion therapy, and “queer icons of Christianity” such as saints Sebastian and Joan of Arc. Others on the queer icon list are Hildegard of Bingen, Perpetua and Felicity, and Michelangelo. Additional chapters cover definitions, self-care, coming out, consent, sex, being queer online and much more, with personal stories scattered throughout the text. The book ends with a helpful glossary and resource list. It is edited by religion writer Leigh Finke and written by a team of writers with expertise in ministry, mental health, art, education, and LGBTQ+ activism. Foreword by Jennifer Knapp, contemporary Christian music star who came out as lesbian. The companion book, “Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Teens,” helps adults learn to affirm LGBTQ Christian teens as God does. Published by Beaming Books, an imprint of 1517 Media.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
3. “Proclaim! Sharing Words, Living Examples, Changing Lives: An Exploration of Episcopal Liturgy from a Black, Queer, Millennial Perspective” by Marcus George Halley.
Each chapter blends a Biblical story, theology and a black, queer millennial’s real-world experience to affirm how worship can proclaim social justice. The author recently became dean of formation for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut after serving as rector of St. Paul’s Church on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, and adjunct professor of homiletics at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Published by Church Publishing, the official publisher of worship resources for the Episcopal church.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
4. “Queer Religiosities: An Introduction to Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion” by Melissa M. Wilcox.
An overview of queer and trans religious life around the world is presented in an accessible yet sophisticated way. The book begins with an introduction to key concepts and history, followed by chapters on stories, conversations, practices, identities, communities, and politics and power. Further study is encouraged with a bibliography, discussion questions and annotated filmography. The author is religion professor at the University of California, Riverside. Published by Rowman and Littlefield.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
5. “Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth” by Leigh Finke (editor).
Learn to affirm LGBTQ Christian teens as God does with this comprehensive guide. Topics include Biblical arguments, creating an affirming church culture, recognizing one’s own biases, definitions, dealing with parents, sex education, and much more. It is edited by religion writer Leigh Finke and written by a team of LGBTQ adults, with personal stories from queer youth. A section on “Queer People in the Early Church” has profiles of Aelred, Augustine of Hippo, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Bernard of Clairvaux, Hildegard of Bingen, and Joan of Arc. Foreword by bishop Kevin Strickland of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is the companion book to “Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens.” Published by Broadleaf Books, an imprint of 1517 Media.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
6. “Only a F—-t* Jesus Can Save Us: Christian Reflections in Gay Code” by Carlos Osma.
Prophetic queer theological reflections and Biblical interpretation are written by a Spanish gay religion writer who dares to use an anti-gay slur in his book title. Based in Barcelona, the author asserts that Christ can’t save anyone without representing everyone, including the queerest of the queer. Osma told Q Spirit that he struggled with his decision to translate “marica” into an English slur that is so offensive that it is blurred and not printed in full here. Q Spirit had an intense discussion with readers before deciding to recommend the book because of its valuable content, despite its trigger-warning title. The collection gathers together some 50 short articles that were first published in progressive Christian magazines or the author’s blog, Homoprotestantes. Translated from the Spanish edition “Solo un Jesús marica puede salvarnos: Reflexiones cristianas en clave gay.” Forewords by Krzysztof Charamsa, a Polish Catholic priest who was fired by the Vatican for being openly gay, and Danish theologian Renato Lings. The author holds degrees in both mathematics and religious sciences and a postgraduate degree in interreligious dialogue. Published by Ediciones Homoprotestantes. *Warning: anti-gay slur in title.
BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
7. “Nomad for God” by Dusty Pruitt.
A lesbian pastor / Army officer shares a lifetime of lessons learned in this accessible memoir. Raised in a fundamentalist Baptist home in Texas, Dusty Pruitt came to understand that she was a lesbian after joining the U.S. Army in 1970. She sued the Army to serve as an openly gay officer, winning a 12-year legal battle to be reinstated with a promotion to major. In 1980 she became the first openly lesbian or gay person to graduate with a master of divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She pastored in the LGBTQ community, including 15 years as senior pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Long Beach. She earned a doctorate from Claremont School of Theology and is still an active ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. The memoir reveals her journey to reconcile God, gays and the Bible. Published by Trafford.
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Hot off the presses
JUST RELEASED!
ALREADY A BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price less than $10
“Clobber the Passages: Seven Deadly Verses” by Mel White.
One of America’s most celebrated gay Christian authors has just released a new book! “Clobber the Passages” goes way beyond debunking the seven Bible verses that have been misused to condemn homosexuality. The book is more about politics and less about the Bible than the title may imply. Mel White understands from the inside that these verses are used as weapons in church power games, not as keys to understanding God. He adroitly counteracts the shame with his own dramatic life story plus truth from America’s leading scientists and progressive church leaders. White is the former ghostwriter for right-wing televangelists such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham. For 30 years he served the evangelical Christian community as a pastor, seminary professor, best-selling author, prize-winning filmmaker, communication consultant and ghost writer. In 1994 he came out as gay and devoted himself to LGBTQ Christian ministry and writing. He transferred his clergy credentials to Metropolitan Community Churches and founded Soulforce to advocate for LGBTQ religious rights. He is working on volume two of his best-selling autobiography, “Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America.” Independently published.
Bible books
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price less than $10
New in December!
“Queers The Word: A 40-Day Devotional for LGBTQ+ Christians” by Brian G Murphy and Shannon TL Kearns.
Deepen your spirituality with a daily devotional that takes the Bible seriously while affirming queer and trans people. The authors started QueerTheology.com in 2013 to make queer theology accessible and focus on the gifts that LGBTQ people bring to the church. They have reached more than 1 million people with their website, videos and podcasts. Independently published.
New in December!
“The Name: A History of the Dual-Gendered Hebrew Name for God” by Mark Sameth.
God was understood as a male-female deity in ancient Israel, according to a scholar-rabbi. This queer understanding arises from careful research that is meticulously argued. The unspeakable Hebrew name of God, YHWH, is traced back to Hu-Hi — Hebrew for “He-She,” changing the male identity of God for three of the world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The courageous book is based on the concept that gender, biological sex and sexual orientation all exist on a spectrum. The author is a widely published essayist based in New York. Published by Wipf and Stock.
Theology, church, society, ministry and Christian living books
New in December!
“Desiring God: Meditations for the Gay Man and Other Edgy People” by Arno Steen Andreasen.
Reflections on being gay and Christian offer hope of God’s for all who experience discrimination: God is for you. Based in Denmark, the author is co-president of the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups. When he came out as gay, he was thrown out of the church he founded and had pastored for many years. Published by Archway Publishing.
New in December!
“Trans Affirming Churches: How to Celebrate Gender-Variant People and Their Loved Ones” by Christina Beardsley and Chris Dowd.
Churches can improve their relationships with trans people by using this guide. It is based on first-hand interviews, the authors’ own experiences and scripture analysis. . Dowd has pastored multiple churches and Beardsley is a Church of England priest. Together they also co-authored “Transfaith: A Transgender Pastoral Care Handbook,” which was on Q Spirit’s 2018 top books list. Beardsley’s book “This Is My Body: Hearing the Theology of Transgender Christians” was the number-one bestseller on Q Spirit’s 2016 top books list. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price less than $10
“Sex with God: Meditations on the Sacred Nature of Sex in a Post-Purity Culture World” by Suzanne DeWitt Hall.
Fifty daily meditations reflect on sexuality and encourage readers of all kinds to invite God into their lovemaking in this upbeat, up-to-date guide. “Sex with God” affirms that desiring the same sex, the opposite sex, both, or neither are all reflections of God. The book reveals that God is a non-binary, polyamorous pansexual who is endlessly passionate about people, body and soul. Readers are encouraged and equipped to develop their own sexual ethic. Accessible meditations are spiced with quotes from scripture and other sources. While the focus is primarily Christian, some meditations highlight concepts from other faiths such as the Jewish “bashert” (soulmate) and the Hindu greeting “namaste.” The author, who dedicates the book to her wife, unapologetically affirms monogamy and elegantly walks the line between “anything goes” and “how not to do it.” Two of Hall’s books were on Q Spirit’s annual list of top books in previous years: “Transfigured” and “Where True Love Is.” Published by DH Strategies.
“The Book of Queer Prophets: 24 Writers on Sexuality and Religion” by Ruth Hunt (editor).
Inspiring stories of love and resilience are gathered from important LGBTQ ministers, thinkers and activists in this collection. Contributors include lesbian novelist Jeanette Winterson, queer Indian-American Episcopal priest Winnie Varghese, transgender Anglican priest Rachel Mann, black gay Methodist chaplain Jarel Robinson-Brown, gay Church of Scotland minister John Bell, Muslim drag queen Amrou Al-Kadhi, queer artist Ric Stott, and many more. Edited by Ruth Hunt, former CEO of the major British LGBTQ-rights charity Stonewall Equality Ltd. Afterword by Anglican minister Kate Bottley. This British edition is available now, and a U.S. edition is planned for June 2021. Published by HarperCollins.
New in December!
“The Erotic Contemplative: Reflections on the Spiritual Journey of the Gay/Lesbian Christian” by Michael Bernard Kelly.
LGBTQ people are encouraged to reclaim and reimagine their spiritual lives in this simple yet profound guide. It can stand alone as a source of inspiration and discussion, or serve as a companion to the Erotic Contemplative lecture series. The book provides a set of six user-friendly reflections with discussion questions: The Truth of Our Experience, Re-Visioning Sexuality and Spirituality, Exodus and Awakening, The Desert and the Dark (the most popular lecture), Liberation and Union, and The Road from Emmaus. Michael B. Kelly, who died last month, was an internationally renowned author, educator, retreat leader and Independent Catholic bishop who was serving as an adjunct research associate at the Centre for Religious Studies of Monash University in Melbourne. His book “Christian Mysticism’s Queer Flame: Spirituality in the Lives of Contemporary Gay Men” appeared on Q Spirit’s list of the top LGBTQ Christian books of 2018. Published by Clouds of Magellan Press.
New in December!
“Black Trans Prayer Book” by J Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi (editors).
Stories, prayers, poems, spells, incantations, theological narrative and visual offerings by black trans, non-binary and intersex people are collected in this interfaith, multi-dimensional theological and artistic work. The aim is to celebrate their valuable role in faith. Mase is a black trans queer poet and educator based in Seattle. Dane is a Nigerian, Cuban, indigenous American writer, priestess and trans performance artist. Independently published.
“OtherWise Christian 2: Stories of Resistance” by Chris Paige (editor).
Transgender, non-binary, intersex and two-spirit authors share their diverse experiences with Christianity in this collection. The 29 contributors come from many different faith traditions and include prominent trans spokespersons such as Virginia Mollenkott, Erin Swenson, Cameron Partridge and Donovan Ackley III, as well as newer millennial voices such as Diamond Stylz and intersex voices such as Lianne Simon. Some stayed in the church, some left permanently and some wandered and returned. Foreword by Victoria Kolakowski, a retired minister and California’s first openly transgender judge. Author Chris Paige of OtherWise Christian was founding executive director of TransFaith. Published by OtherWise Engaged Publishing.
“The Concert and the Closet: A Comic Book on Depression, Moments of Grace, and Closeted Gay Christians” by Stefan Salinas.
A San Francisco artist shares his loving encounters with LGBTQ Christians, including closeted gay men and an LGBTQ-affirming Catholic priest, as he approaches joining the church himself in this illustrated book. Reading the graphic novel is as personal as looking through the artist’s sketchbook. Handwritten notes and unedited drawings augment more finished artworks. The result is a fresh, personal view of people and places such as Father Donal Godfrey of Most Holy Redeemer Catholic church, Grace Episcopal cathedral (including the AIDS Interfaith Memorial Chapel), Twin Peaks bar in the Castro and the Pride parade. The subtle, impressionistic style explores the insider/outsider dynamic of being in/out of the church or the closet. The author’s work has been widely published and he does public art commissions for many churches. Published by Camelopardalis.
“Bi the Way: Pastoring Bisexual Christians in Europe” by Carol Shepherd.
Silence is broken about bisexual Christians in this resource. Bisexuals are an often-overlooked group in the “LGBTQ” acronym, even though statistics in the book prove that they outnumber gays and lesbians. The book explores bisexual Christian identities, ministry and history, especially in Europe. It shows how bisexual people face unique mental health issues and church discrimination, and offers resources to help. The author is bisexual Christian with a doctorate in theology from the University of Winchester, England. She teaches sociology at Andover College in Hampstead. Shepherd is also the author of the 2020 book “Blood on Its Hands?: The Church and LGBT Youth” with a foreword by Australian LGBTQ Christian ambassador Anthony Venn-Brown. Published by Easy Yoke Publishing.
Memoir and biography
“A Catechism of the Heart: A Jesuit Missioned to the Laity” by Benjamin Brenkert.
A gay Catholic stands up for LGBTQ rights, ending his 10-year quest to become the first officially ordained gay Jesuit priest, in this memoir. His faith led him to quit the Catholic church because other LGBTQ employees were being fired from Catholic institutions. Foreword by Robert Waldron, author of six books on Thomas Merton and winner of Catholic Press Association prizes. Brenkert is a New York writer and therapist who is completing his doctorate in education at Columbia University. Published by Wipf and Stock.
“God, a Lesbian, and the Space in Between” by Michelle Johns.
A lesbian’s quest to stay connected with God despite anti-LGBTQ bias in her family, church and society comes to life in this memoir. Raised as the tomboy daughter of preachers in the black church, the author had an awakening after she left home for college. She writes, “I want you to know how I survived and found peace with God as I am. A lesbian.” The author is an entrepreneur, musician and worship leader. Independently published.
“The Courage to Love and Serve: The Life Story of Rev. Judith A. Beaumont: A Roman Catholic Woman Priest And A Saint for Our Times” by Judith A. B. Lee.
A nun’s life of prophetic obedience — and disobedience — is revealed in a biography by the woman priest who was her longtime partner in life and ministry. Judith Beaumont (1937-2018) was a Benedictine sister for 34 years and a Roman Catholic Woman Priest ordained in 2012. Her commitment to serving God and humanity led her on a surprising path from teaching in Chicago’s parochial schools to being imprisoned for protesting nuclear war in a Plowshares action. Together she and her partner created justice in many ways, including prison reform, women’s shelters and homeless ministry. Beaumont even faced terminal cancer with faithful courage. The book is loaded with original source material, using Beaumont’s own words wherever possible. The author is a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, pastor of an Inclusive Catholic Community in Florida; and professor emerita of social work at the University of Connecticut. Published by Outskirts Press.
“Confessions of a Gay Priest: A Memoir of Sex, Love, Abuse, and Scandal in the Catholic Seminary” by Tom Rastrelli.
A former Catholic priest reveals the closeted underworld of clergy culture. Public displays of piety, celibacy and homophobia cover up guilty sexual relations between priests, self-loathing, alcohol, hidden crushes, and a cycle of abuse. Rastrelli, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, began studying for the priesthood in the mid-1990s and was ordained in 2002, at the time of the Boston pedophile-priest scandal. In this memoir, Rastrelli takes an unapologetic look at his own experiences. The “formation” process that was intended to make him a compliant priest eventually helped to liberate him. The author is director of digital communications at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Published by University of Iowa Press.
“Pauli Murray: A Personal and Political Life” by Troy R. Saxby.
This intimate biography provides the most comprehensive look yet at the inner life of queer saint and civil-rights champion Pauli Murray, including struggles against homophobia and transphobia. Murray was attracted to women and had the longest relationships with women, but also sometimes identified as a man trapped in a woman’s body and took hormone treatments. Considered “the first black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest,” Murray organized protests and wrote legal arguments that were used in landmark Supreme Court decisions outlawing racism and sexism. The author is an academic and research officer at the University of Newcastle. Published by University of North Carolina Press.
New in December!
“Finding Her: Memoir of a Christian Lesbian” by Sharon Wulfensmith. Published by Bookstand Publishing.
A lesbian presents her hard-won struggle to stand against fundamentalist hypocrisy in this memoir. Appendices cover the “clobber passages” and other resources. The author is a retired California teacher with a master’s degree from Fuller Seminary. Published by Bookstand Publishing.
History books
“Byzantine Intersectionality: Sexuality, Gender, and Race in the Middle Ages” by Roland Betancourt.
Queer relationships and identities in medieval times are revealed. The chapter titled “Transgender Lives” covers narratives of trans and gender-nonconforming monks plus historical gender-affirming practices such as ascetic action. The “Queer Sensation” chapter explores same-gender desire and homosocial and homoerotic relationships in monastic communities by looking at how they portrayed the gospel story of Doubting Thomas. The final chapter examines stereotypes of gender and ethnicity in portrayals of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts. The radically intersectional book puts sexuality and gender into the context of discourses on race, sexual and reproductive consent, bullying and slut-shaming. The author is professor of art history and at the University of California, Irvine. Published by Princeton University Press.
“The Shape of Sex: Nonbinary Gender from Genesis to the Renaissance” by Leah DeVun.
A historian reveals how the early church embraced queer ideas such as the belief that Adam and Jesus were intersex. Historical theologians reflected on gender by discussing individuals who combined or crossed sex or gender binaries. Gender nonconformity was brutally erased in the 13th century, but welcomed again in the Renaissance. The author is associate professor of history at Rutgers University and coeditor of an issue of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly. Published by Columbia University Press.
Fiction
BARGAIN ALERT: Paperback price less than $10
New in December!
“Love the Sinner” by Susanna Adlem.
A Christian teenager at an elite English boarding school falls in love with another girl in this debut novel about reconciling sexuality and spirituality. “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is the classic excuse to discriminate, but the novel reveals God’s unconditional love and turns the tables to suggest “love the homophobe, hate the homophobia.” Raised in England, the author is a Ph.D. student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Independently published.
New in December!
“The Real World” by Kathleen Jowitt.
An out-and-proud British Methodist student wants to become a vicar and marry her girlfriend, but the church won’t let her do both in this novel. The characters struggle with the fact that Church of England forbids same-sex marriage for clergy. This is the sequel to “Speak Its Name,” which appeared on Q Spirit’s list of the top LGBTQ Christian books of 2016. Based in England, the author writes contemporary literary fiction exploring themes of identity, redemption, integrity, and politics. Independently published.
New in December!
“The Unicorn: The Mystery” by Janet Mason.
Experience a magical, medieval world through the eyes of a unicorn and the heretical young monk who is enthralled by her in this imaginative historical novel. Hunters are out to capture and perhaps kill the unicorn. The monk’s devotion may turn out to be the unicorn’s rescue or her downfall. Like a beautiful tapestry, the novel weaves together theological debate and unforgettable characters, including queer nuns and their secret cat companion. Mason blends myth and history to conjure up a spellbinding vision. The author is an award-winning creative writer and Unitarian Universalist lay minister. Her novel “They: A Biblical Tale of Secret Genders” appeared on Q Spirit’s list of the top LGBTQ Christian books of 2018. Published by Adelaide Books.
Childen’s books
“Sacred Sheltering” by Megan Rohrer.
This timely new children’s book, safe for LGBTQ families, is a fun way to teach kids about staying healthy during the corona virus pandemic. For example: “If you go outside, please wear a mask. You can love your neighbor with this simple task.” It is aimed at children ages 3 to 12 years old. Delightfully cute illustrations by Franzi Paetzold show diverse families, including multiracial and queer families. The book mentions God without reference to any specific religion. The companion volume, “Sacred Anger,” helps children think about protest as a faithful activity.The author is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in San Francisco and the first openly transgender pastor ordained in the Lutheran Church. Rohrer’s previous children’s books “Faithful Families” and “Mister Grumpy Christian” were popular on Q Spirit’s previous annual lists of the top LGBTQ Christian books. Published by Wilgefortis Press.
New LGBTQ Christian gifts
Medal of Saint Aelred and friend: Patron of LGBTQ people
It’s rare for a religious medal to show same-sex love between a pair of equals — or even to show saints looking at each other. But that is what happens in the handmade pewter Saint Aelred of Rievaulx medals by Louisiana artist Hank Schlau. Aelred is the patron saint of friendship and also, some say, gay. The LGBTQ Episcopal group Integrity chose him as its patron saint. Historian John Boswell wrote, “There can be little question that Aelred was gay and that his erotic attraction to men was a dominant force in his life.” Aelred and his friend stand face to face, arms on each other’s shoulders in the unusual and most appropriate medal. The Saint Aelred medals are available from from his “In the Company of Saints” shop with a chain or without a chain — or from Amazon with a chain or without a chain.
“Our Lady of Montevergine” rescues queer couple in medieval miracle
With bold black-and-white strokes, a new icon shows “Our Lady of Montevergine” in solidarity with the queer couple that she rescues. She even takes on their wounds. In the winter of 1256 she sent unexpected sunshine to warm the lovers who were beaten and left to die in the cold when a caught them kissing in the Italian woods. It may be the only recorded miracle in church history in which the Madonna saves a pair of same-sex lovers from homophobic violence. Queer British artist Tony O’Connell completed the limited-run linocut print in September 2020. Click for more info on the artwork and the Virgin of Montevergine.
Coming soon and available for pre-order
Dec. 21
“Towards a Theology of Same-Sex Marriage: Squaring the Circle” by Clare Herbert. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Jan. 2, 2021
“Queer Political Theologies” by Ricky Varghese, David K. Seitz and Fan Wu (editors). Published by Duke University Press
Jan. 5, 2021
“The Prophets” by Robert Jones Jr. (novel about forbidden love between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation)
Feb. 23, 2021
“Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church” by Sally Gary. Published by Eerdmans.
April 20, 2021
“Family of Origin, Family of Choice: Stories of Queer Christians” by Katie Hays and Susan A. Chiasson. Foreword by Paula Stone Williams. Published by Eerdmans.
April 20, 2021
“Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry” by Ross Murray. Published by Fortress Press.
Sept. 1, 2021
“Gay, Catholic, and American: My Legal Battle for Marriage Equality and Inclusion” by Gregory Bourke. Published by University of Notre Dame Press.
Sept. 15, 2021
“Mychal Judge: ‘Take Me Where You Want Me to Go’” by Francis DeBernardo. BESTSELLER AT Q SPIRIT. Published by Liturgical Press.
Oct. 19, 2021
“Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story” by Stacey Chomiak. Illustrated memoir for ages 8 to 12. Published by Beaming Books.
Related links
2024 brings new LGBTQ Christian books
Top 23 LGBTQ Christian books of 2023 named
Top 34 LGBTQ Christian books of 2022 named
Top 28 LGBTQ Christian books of 2021 named
Top 30 LGBTQ Christian books of 2020 named
Top 23 LGBTQ Christian books of 2019 named
Top 30 LGBTQ Christian books of 2018 named
Top 25 LGBTQ Christian books of 2017 named
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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