Queerology: A Podcast On Belief And Being

Liz Edman is an Episcopal priest and political strategist. She is the author of Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity (Beacon Press, 2016). In this episode, she discusses the inherent queerness of Christianity, God, and what gives her hope. Liz has lived and worked on the front lines of many of the most pressing issues where religion and sexuality meet, serving as an inner city hospital chaplain to people with HIV/AIDS from 1989 to 1995 and helping craft political and communications strategies for marriage equality efforts. In 2017, she partnered with Parity to create Glitter+Ash Wednesday, a project to increase the visibility of progressive, queer-positive Christians and to explore Christian liturgy through a queer lens. Her writing has been featured in Salon.com, The Advocate, LGBT Nation, and Religion News Service. She has been interviewed for feature and news articles in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Chicag

This episode was recorded live from the Wild Goose Festival podcast stage on July 12, 2019 in Hot Springs, NC. Anna Golladay is a United Methodist Minister who made headlines in 2018 when she was fired for performing a same-gender wedding. Listen in as she shares some of her story, her thoughts about where the UMC is heading now, and the larger implications on churches everywhere. Anna can be found at unholyhairetic.com and on Twitter @unholyhaireticAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama’s work centres around themes of language, power, conflict and religion. Working fluently on the page and in public, Pádraig is a compelling poet and skilled speaker, teacher and group worker. In this episode, he chats with Matthias about reconciliation, conflict, and hope. Pádraig can be found online at padraigotuama.com Poets mentioned by Pádraig in this episode: Marie Howe Kei Miller Lorna Goodison Tracy K Smith Joy Harjo Sappho Seán Ó Ríordáin Máirtín Ó Direáin Claudia Rankine Emily Dickinson Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill Raymond Antrobus Ali Cobby Eckermann Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Myah Jackson is the founder and editor of The Zeal Life, an online fashion publication that amplifies the visibility of marginalized communities in fashion, culture and art. Her mission is to bring others closer to their purpose, so that they may lead more authentic lives. In this episode we talk about her new photo series All Are Welcome: A Fashion Narrative on the LGBTQ Community and The Church and her work to amplify marginalized voices in fashion. Myah can be found at thezeallife.com, on Instagram @thezeallife, and on Patreon at patron.com/thezeallife Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is an encore of Episode 51. Vicky Beeching is a writer, speaker and equality campaigner named by The Guardian as "arguably the most influential Christian of her generation." Previously, she worked as a songwriter and worship leader throughout her twenties and half of her thirties and her songs are some of the most-sung in churches around the globe. When she came out as gay, all of that changed. On today's episode, Vicky talks about coming out, living with chronic illness, and the importance of Pride. Vicky has degrees in theology from Oxford University and has recently returned to academia part-time, alongside her writing and speaking, to do a Ph.D. Her first book, Undivided, is out today with HarperCollins. Find out more about Vicky at vickybeeching.com. She's across social media @vickybeeching. Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

(This is an encore of Episode 59) Bailey Brawner is the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Alaska. She's a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and much of her work focuses on creating spiritual spaces for people who have experienced religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about being asexual and the unique position that places her in to navigate conversations around faith and sexuality. Follow Bailey on Twitter, @baileynbrawner Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brit Barron is a pastor, speaker, wife, dog mom and avid teller of stories about a bigger God, more inclusive church and more whole humanity. In this episode, she talks about how she understands Pride and how to work through phases of deconstruction. Check out the new Gloriously Queer conference happening in Pasadena, CA: www.anythingbutblackandwhite.com/gloriouslyqueer Brit writes at britbarron.com and on Instagram: @britbarron. Queerology is Twitter and Instagram at @queerologypod.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Queerology is two years old!!! To celebrate, Grammy-nominated recording artist Jennifer Knapp takes over the controls and puts Matthias in the hotseat. Jennifer was the first ever guest interviewed on Queerology, listen in as she now has the chance to ask all the hard questions.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jackie G. is an author, vlogger, and speaker who was shocked when her sister, Alex, came out...because she was hiding a secret of her own. Jackie has written two books about self discovery, vulnerability and connection, and spends her time as a motivational speaker and making youtube videos. Jackie can be found at jackiegtv.com. She's on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jackiegtv and Instagram, @jackieg.tv Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rachel Held Evans was a fierce ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ people, she passed away unexpectedly this last weekend and it's so hard to say goodbye. To support Rachel's husband and their two kids, consider contributing to this GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/supporting-rachel-held-evans?pc=tw_dn_cpgntopnavlarge_r&rcid=r01-155720687607-f830f3aba97c4b9bAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, pop artist Gattison began playing the piano and singing at the young-age of ten years old and composed his first song at the age of twelve. He successfully worked as a worship leader for years, until he came out, which ended his marriage with his wife and left him searching and deconstructing his faith. Jump forward a few years and Gattison is the founder of the Innovative Love Coalition a group of queer and affirming Christian creatives who are reintroducing God’s love through creative experiences, justice initiatives and acts of service. They just launched a kickstarter for a brand new worship album created by LGBTQ+ people of faith an allies, supported by grammy award winning artists and producers Gattison’s new single, Picture Perfect debuted on the Billboard Breakout charts and he lives in LA, coparenting his two kids and making music. Innovative Love Coalition is on Instagram: @innovativelovecoalition innovativelovecoalition.com Gattison is on Instagram: @g

Marco Spaumer is a South African actor, best known for his work in the South African soap opera Suidooster. He studied Musical Theatre and has been on South African screens since late 2012. In this episode, Marco and Matthias talk about spiritual abuse, LGBTQ+ faith in South Africa, and Marco's faith journey. Marco is part of Life Choices, a Cape Town-based youth organization aiming to invest in the local youth to tackle inequality and has been actively serving on the board as secretary. He is also part of Simunye, an initiative to feed and serve those living on the streets in Cape Town. He is passionate about social justice and using his profile and platform to create awareness for those who are marginalized.  Follow Marco across social media: @marcospaumer. For the list of books Marco mentions, visit this episode's blog post: www.matthiasroberts.com/queerology/e76-marco-spaumer To help out with the GoFundMe for Rachel Held Evans' medical bills visit: www.gofundme.com/supporting-rachel-held-evans

Abi Robins (they/them) is a trained Enneagram Teacher who studied with Helen Palmer, Marion Gilbert, Peter O’Hanrahan and others through The Narrative Enneagram in Menlo Park, CA. Robins is also a CIAYT Yoga Therapist (intern) with the International Association of Yoga Therapists and studied at Yoga Yoga in Austin, TX. Abi’s teaching combines the deep and transformative insight of the Enneagram with the holistic and down to earth practices of Yoga Therapy. Robins seeks to share these two powerful systems to help people better understand themselves and those around them and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. As a queer, non-binary Enneagram teacher and Yoga Therapist, Robins is also working tirelessly to bring quality teaching in both areas to the queer community. Abi seeks to empower sexual and gender minorities with self-understanding, self-compassion and embodied practices to heal from the trauma inherent in existing on the margins. Robins also hopes to educate other Yoga and Enneagram teachers on h

(Matthias is working on finishing his book this week, so another encore episode, this is an encore of Episode 41 with Kevin Garcia)   Kevin and Matthias sit down for Queerology's first ever live recording. Find out what happened when Nadia Bolz-Weber pulled Kevin aside and asked "will you serve communion with me?" Kevin Garcia is a speaker, creative, musician, content creator, and worship artist based in Atlanta. After coming out in 2015, Kevin has reached thousands through his blog (thekevingarcia.com), his podcast (A Tiny Revolution), and his YouTube channel where he unpacks theology and addresses life as a queer person of faith. Kevin works with The Reformation Project and is currently working on his M.Div at Columbia Theological Seminary. He believes that by telling our stories, we set others free to tell theirs. Kevin is on Twitter @theKevinGarcia_ and on Instagram @thekevingarcia. Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv

(This is an encore of Episode 47) Julien Baker is a Tennessee based singer/songwriter with a knack for finding the shaky ground between heart-wrenching and cathartic. Her solo debut album, Sprained Ankle, was one of the most widely acclaimed works of 2015. In this episode she talks about uncertainty, church hopping, anxiety, and identity. Julien has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, was one of Out magazine’s Out100 in 2017, and has been featured by The New York Times, Paste, The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, Vice, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and so many more. Be sure to pick up a copy of Julien's new album Turn Out the Lights wherever music is sold. She can be found across the internet, @julienrbaker. Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Matthias and Amber as they celebrate the launch of her new book Unashamed: A Coming Out Guide for LGBTQ Christians, which is out everywhere today! Amber Cantorna is an author, speaker, blogger, musician, and leader in the movement of acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ+ Christians. Her first book, Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Discovering the True Love of God (featured in Episode 20 of Queerology) released in 2017 and detailed her coming out journey after growing up the daughter of a Focus on the Family executive. Amber resides in Denver with her wife Clara and their dogs. Pick up a copy of Unashamed wherever you buy books. Follow Amber on her website, www.ambercantorna.com and across social media @amberncantorna. Find out more about the Tell Your Pastor #imaffirming campaign: https://www.generousspace.ca/tell-your-pastor-imaffirming/ Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com

Sarah Kessler is a life coach (CPC, ELI-MP), speaker, and writer who is passionate about connecting with individuals and empowering them to live a life marked by radical self-love, freedom, and endless possibility. In this episode, she sits down with Matthias to discuss the phenomenon of "second adolescence" which many people experience after coming out. Sarah resides in Denver, CO, with her wife, Stacey, and their new puppy, Kamari. She can be found at coachkessler.com and also over at The Christian Closet. She's on Twitter and Instagram, @thecoachkessler Join the Tell Your Pastor #imaffirming campaign for Lent:https://www.generousspace.ca/lent-2019-tell-your-pastor-imaffirming/ Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  In this encore of Episode 38, therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, Candice Czubernat discusses the complexities of mental health while living as a queer people of faith. Candice was named one of the "10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know" by The Advocate and is an active blogger and speaker around issues of LGBTQ Christianity and mental health. Her practice can be found at thechristiancloset.com, she blogs at candiceczubernat.com. She's on Twitter: @TheChristianCL and Facebook: facebook.com/thechristiancloset. Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Donald Scherschligt is a 24-year-old gay HIV+ activist, writer and graphic designer. In this episode we talk about his Christianity, HIV/AIDS, stigma, and what we can each do to help fight this disease. After coming out at age 19, Donald led an underground LGBTQ community at the Christian college he attended. He is the creator of Campus Pride's Shame List, the nation's most comprehensive list of anti-LGBTQ religious colleges and universities. He's also one half of the team behind Queerly Beloved Tees, an apparel company for LGBTQ people of faith. You can find Donald at www.donaldlawrence.me, and on Twitter and Instagram, @donnysurelegit. Everything you could ever want to know and more about HIV: http://www.thebody.com/ To find an HIV testing center in your local area: https://locator.aids.gov/ To find PrEP providers: https://preplocator.org/ If you live in a “healthcare desert” (a location where access to PrEP is unavailable due to legal or geographical limitations), learn about Nurx and get their

Kashif Andrew Graham is a queer Jamaican American man. He's the Outreach Librarian for Religion and Theology at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library in Nashville, TN. In this episode Kashif shares his coming out journey and the need for more diversity within our theological libraries. Kashif holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Spanish from CUNY Lehman College. He received his Master of Arts in Church Ministry from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN. And will graduate this May from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Master of Science in Information Sciences.  He blogs at kashifandrewgraham.com and is on Instagram @kashifandrewgraham. Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy