Why I'm a Queer Affirming Christian
It is Pride month. Which always amplifies the volume of vitriol from people who claim to love Jesus (which frequently includes rampantly terrible grammar) towards queer people and us straight folks who are queer affirming.
Some of my closest friends are part of the Queer community. So being Queer affirming is of the highest importance to me; akin far more to an expression of love than just an expression of support. But it is extra important for me to public proclaim that I am a Queer affirming Christian.
Let’s clarify a few things before I continue…
I intensely dislike the term “Christian”. Under the name of Christianity, upwards of 100 million people have died. It has been further corrupted by American Christianity - most often in the form of “conservative Christians”. This is why when someone says they identify as a Christian, I now ask them this question:
Are you a “love your neighbor” Christian or a “take over the government” Christian?
However, “Christian” is probably the best term to make my point that I am a Jesus-ist who challenges and condemns any dehumanizing doctrine, especially the "piece of shit” theology of Christian fundamentalism and evangelicalism.
Secondly, “Queer affirming” may be an unfamiliar term so here is a brief definition:
"Queer Affirming" refers to actively recognizing, validating, and supporting the identities, experiences, and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. It involves creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and promote equality, ensuring that queer people feel respected and valued.
And for extra clarity, here’s what I mean by “Queer Affirming Christian”…
A Queer Affirming Christian passionately defends, embraces and celebrates the divine spark within every LGBTQ+ individual. They transcend traditional dogma, boldly weaving love, radical inclusivity, and justice into the fabric of their faith. This spiritual warrior champions a vision of Christianity where every soul, regardless of identity, is seen as a sacred reflection of G_d's boundless love and grace.
Growing up immersed in Christian Fundamentalism has the downside of chronic religious abuse but the upside of being really damn good at Bible trivia. I can go bare knuckles with any theologian with a bunch of Divinity School letters after their name. Further, my deconstruction from all of the false doctrine and dogma was purifying; leaving only the good stuff of wholeness, faith, Love, grace, compassion, and more.
It is my observation that within American Christianity, there is a scale of Queer affirmation.
On the top end are fully queer-affirming believers, usually found in denominations such as the United Church of Christ (which is waaaaaaay different than Church of Christ), Episcopal Church, and the Unitarian Church.
In the middle is a variation of “don’t ask, don’t tell” to “hate the sin, love the sinner” (which is intensely arrogant and insulting). This stance, often adopted by individuals and groups claiming to be compassionate while simultaneously condemning LGBTQ+ identities, fails to recognize the intrinsic worth and humanity of queer individuals. It perpetuates a harmful dichotomy that marginalizes and devalues people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, cloaking discrimination in a veneer of purported benevolence.
At the other end of affirmation are the anti-Queer denominations; mostly defined by the Southern Baptist Convention, various evangelical mega-churches, and dozens of smaller fundamentalist sects (like the one I was raised in). In many cases, these are the Christians who are actively trying to use the government to oppress and harm queer people through legislation. As of last count, there are over 500 active anti-Queer bills working their way through state legislatures.
I don’t suspect this essay will move any of the anti-Queer folks. Hearts that hard don’t soften easily. However, I think there is room for enlightenment within the middle. I will extend room for grace to these people. Many of them are well-intended but mis-informed. Many of them say some variation of “I love everyone” or “I have gay friends or family members”, yet are participating in religious systems that promote anti-queer doctrine.
In addition, those in the middle tend to use variations of phrases like “I have a Biblical worldview” or “I am a Bible-believing Christian”. They often cherry-pick Old Testament verses that purportedly condemn Queer people - very similar how 2nd Amendment defenders rarely talk about the other elements of the Bill of Rights or Constitution. But most of their views about Queer people come from intentionally misinterpreted New Testament verses.
To these folks, I will point out a few historical facts:
The passages often cited as anti-LGBTQ+ (e.g., Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and 1 Timothy 1:9-10) must be understood in their historical and cultural context. Scholars argue that these verses address specific practices such as pederasty, temple prostitution, and exploitative relationships rather than consensual, loving same-sex relationships as understood today.
The core message of Jesus and the early Christians was of radical inclusivity - ranging from Jesus' ministry emphasizing love, compassion, and inclusion, and reaching out to marginalized groups and speaking against judgmental attitudes to Paul’s message of "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
So what happened? How did a message of universal inclusion (and no mention of queerness by Jesus) become anti-queer theology? Three reasons:
Thanks to modern methods, there is ample evidence that Paul’s writings were heavily edited by the first church/state (which became the Catholic Church) to defeminize the New Testament and also exclude queer people.
The likely influencers behind this intentional editing were early Christian leaders like Augustine (originator of the flawed theology of “original sin”), John Chrysostom, and the overly revered Thomas Aquinas. Their teachings were then incorporated into official Church doctrine for many centuries.
The Bible has been translated into various languages hundreds of times, including estimated 450 English translations. However, the first version of the New Testament to explicitly use the term "homosexual" was the Revised Standard Version (RSV) published in 1946. This version translated 1 Corinthians 6:9 to include "homosexuals," marking a significant shift in the interpretation and understanding of the biblical texts related to same-sex relationships.
All of this historical context leads me (and a growing number of other Christians) to this conclusion: Any doctrine that breaks the law of radical inclusivity is theologically flawed. I will further posit that people who identify as Queer people of faith are part of a greater “come to Jesus” moment in history. Which is one of the many reasons why I serve on the board of this amazing new non-profit, Divine All Along.
“To God, everyone is different but no one is special. You're not special for being straight. Or gay. Or male. Or cis. Or trans. Or asexual. Or married. Or sexually prodigious. Or a virgin. We all have the same God who placed the same image and likeness within us and entrusted us imperfect human beings with such mind blowing things as sexuality and creativity and the ability as individuals to love and be loved as we are.”
― Nadia Bolz-Weber
I was asked recently by a gay friend who is also a Jesus-ist why, as a straight male, do I feel called to not just be Queer affirming, but to be public about it.
What a great question! There are three core reasons:
Recompense: This is not a commonly used word, but it refers to compensation for loss or harm. As a former conservative Christian, I feel I must make amends for past harmful beliefs and any previous contributions to an unwelcoming or hostile atmosphere towards Queer people. Although not as rabidly anti-Queer as many with that past, I did toe the “company line” way too often.
Reclamation: Being queer affirming has helped me move past deconstruction to reclaiming my own divinity; embracing and honoring my true self in a holistic and spiritual sense. I’ve broken free from past restrictive beliefs that suppressed my true identity and blocked me from recognizing the inherent worth and sacredness within myself and others. By affirming queer identities, I acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of human experience as a reflection of the Divine, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and understanding.
Revolution: Right-wing American Christianity poses the greatest threat to freedom in the US by aggressively imposing (through legislation) its narrow, dogmatic beliefs on everyone, ultimately threatening every individual's sense of divinity and personal spiritual autonomy. This oppressive crusade not only undermines the core spirit of religious freedom, it also attacks the core of personal divinity, attempting to replace diverse, authentic spiritual experiences with a monolithic, authoritarian doctrine. If the teachings of Jesus are going to live on and be embodied in future generations there must be a whole-hearted rejection of anti-personhood, anti-individualism theology.
So what does being queer affirming look like in the everyday life of a spiritual practice?
Embrace Divine Love: Recognize that Divine Love is unconditional and inclusive. Reflect this in your daily life by showing love and acceptance to all, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Inclusive Worship: (For church-goers, which I am not) Ensure that your worship practices and language are welcoming to everyone. Use inclusive language in prayers, hymns, and sermons that affirm the dignity and worth of all individuals. Further, challenge any teachings that are subtly anti-Queer.
Sacred Listening: Listen deeply to the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Approach these conversations with an open heart, seeking to understand and honor their spiritual journeys.
Advocate for Justice: Stand up for the rights and inclusion of all people, not just LGBTQ+ individuals. Let your faith guide you in promoting equality and fighting against discrimination wherever you see it.
Reflect Namaste: See and honor the divine image in every person. Celebrate the diversity of creation by affirming the unique identities and experiences of queer individuals as part of the sacred human tapestry.
If you disagree with me, I invite you to have a conversation. Book a call with me here. I won’t argue with you nor debate you, but I will listen to you if the listening is reciprocated.