How might a transgender or gender fluid individual feel about Heavenly Mother? The idealization of God as a deified, cishet couple may not be accessible or comforting for everyone. Additionally, could this doctrine be weaponized against our LGBTQIA+ siblings? In Her Image hosts, Jess and Kate, acknowledge that their personal experience with Heavenly Mother is going to be different than those who hold a variety of marginalized identities. In an effort to edify and increase understanding, they invite Arawn Billings (they/he) to share his perspective. As a trans individual, Arawn engages with the doctrine of Heavenly Mother in a unique and beautiful way. Jess and Kate’s eyes are opened to the bittersweet duality of  the application of this doctrine. Arawn shares about the art and writings he has created as a result of his search for the goddess, as well as their vision for the future of the church. Ultimately, he hopes for a proactive examination of underlying bias, a rejection of social dogma, and the creation of a truly inclusive safe haven for all of God’s children.

Arawn is on Instagram at @artbyarawn. His art and blog posts can be found here: https://artbyarawn.weebly.com