LGBTQ+ and a Christian? You're Not Alone!

One of the first thing I deconstructed when I was questioning my faith was my view on sexuality. I have acquired some resources over the years that I often direct people to when they ask me about my views on LGBTQIA+ issues. If you are a Christian and wondering about the biblical take on homosexuality or transgenderism, this blog will direct you to resources.

What Does the does Bible say about being gay/lesbian?

• 5 Things to Remember When the Bible is used Against the LGBTQ+ Community This is a blog written by Pastor Jeff Nelson on the real-life implications of speaking out against homosexuality in our churches... and not just on LGBTQ+ people.

• Serendipity Do Dah - The Clobber Verses This is a blog that systematically goes through each verse used to discredit homosexuality within Christianity from an invaluable resource for Christian parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Click here to find out more about the MamaBears community.

• The Bible and Homosexuality - A Nuanced Approach A thirty-minute video on interpreting Scripture around homosexuality by Justin Lee, who also wrote a book and study guide called "Torn - Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate"

• How and When the Word Homosexuality was First Used in the Bible The author of "Walking the Bridgeless Canyon", Kathy Baldock write an enlightening piece on the history of when the word "homosexual" was added... yes added... to the English translation of the Bible.

• God and the Gay Christian - Matthew Vines Pete Enns, host of The Bible for Normal People podcast, interviews Matthew Vines, founder of The Reformation Project, which seeks to build a biblical case for LGBTQ inclusion.

• LGBTQ Blog Series
  A series of blogs written by Jared Bias, author of Love Matters More and co-host of The Bible for Normal People Podcast.

What About Transgender and Intersex Believers?

• The Bible and Intersex Believers - Megan DeFranza An interview on The Bible for Normal People podcast with theologian Megan DeFranza, who shares her findings on what the Bible says about the intersex believer.
• The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians - Austen HartkePete Enns of The Bible for Normal People podcast interviews Austen Hartke, author of Transforming:The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians.

The Science of Gender

• Sex Redefined: The Idea of 2 Sexes is Overly Simplistic This article, published by The Scientific American, explains in layman's terms, how gender is a spectrum.

Once I started speaking out about a Scriptural argument for LGBTQ+ inclusion, unsurprisingly, my inbox

began to fill up with messages from Christian friends I'd known for years, coming out to me. They were asking

where they could find support. That led me to begin this list of resources:

Help! I'm LGBTQ+ and a Christian!

• Stan Mitchel This man is a facebook pastor for LGBTQ Christians. He founded GracePointe Church in Nashville, TN, but support LGBTQ+ Christians became a full-time job for him. No joke, send him a private message. He will call you personally.
• Blue Babies Pink I cannot say enough about this incredible man. B.T. Harman is a gay Christian who shares his story in a series of podcasts about growing up a pastor's kid in the deep South in the United States. He will have you laughing and crying, no matter what side of the spectrum of belief you are on. He also has an incredible resource available called Blue Babies Pink Plus, which includes videos on how to come out safely, how to support your gay child, and more. I will be linking this resource in the following section as well.
• Church Clarity Are you LGBTQ+ and looking for a church that is actually gay/trans-affirming? This website helps you find churches that don't just present an accepting front, but actually spell out on their website what they believe about gay/lesbian/transgender theology.

Help! I am a Christian Who Loves Someone Who is LGBTQ+

• Blue Babies Pink PLUS B.T. Harman has done an absolutely incredible job currating resources for Christians who love LGBTQ+ people. This bundle, which only costs $29, includes the Blue Babies Pink Ebook, a resource guide for LGBTQ+ believers, an ebook on how to support your LGBTQ+ family member, as well as a guide on how to come out to your conservative parents. There are two other videos as well, the first one being a guide for Christian parents and how to respond to their child coming out. The other is B.T. Harman's personal story on his personal journey from traditional to affirming.
  
  
• 5 Things to Remember When the Bible is used Against the LGBTQ+ Community This is a blog written by Pastor Jeff Nelson on the real-life implications of speaking out against homosexuality in our churches... and not just on LGBTQ+ people.
• Mama Bears This is a website for parents of LGBTQ+ children/youth with hundreds of resources from private support groups, to safe school resources, to programs that parents can personally get involved with.