Crystal Cheatham

It's been a minute since the last episode. Our Bible App launched and I needed a second to catch up, but I'm back with a bang! Check out Jazz Fitzgerald. Seriously watch her move and shake in this world because it is an unbelievable show. Jazz is a student in her third semester at the University of Colorado and the founder of You Are Welcome Here, a conference centered on being interfaith and LGBTQIA+ inclusive and affirming. Jazz is in the processes of fundraising for her immigration status so I hope you'll check out her GoFundMe and tithe $10 or$50 if you can spare it. Blessings to you friends! Hope you enjoy the show. 

Join me, Crystal Cheatham, as I catch up with an old friend. J Mase III is a black trans poet and together with fellow performer and spiritual guide, Lady Dane Figueroa we tackle common LHM themes on God, sex and the Bible. I can't help making fun of Mase but we all take our shots at the imperfections of religion, sex culture and Dan Savage (because why not). Hear how toxic religion affects the black trans community and how they intend to credential those who walk their same path. This episode is fire ya'll. I hope you laugh as hard as we did.

The #BLACKTRANSPRAYERBOOK
 The #BlackTransPrayerBook is an interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological work that collects the stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells, and incantations of Black Trans & Gender Non-Conforming  contributors. Often pushed out of Faith spaces and yet still deeply connected to a historical legacy of spiritual essentiality, Black TGNC People face unprecedented amounts of spiritual, physical, and psychological violence. The Black Trans Prayer Book is a tool of healing, and affirmation centered on uplifting Black TGNC people and celebrating our place within faith. 

What does it mean to have a faith practice that simultaneously challenges white supremacy and transphobia? Where is there a theological framework that centers the most marginalized and creates pathways towards an active spirituality moving alongside social justice? How might a spiritual practice not in tune with these questions cause harm? The #BlackTransPrayerBook, is holding these very questions. To support this vital work, go to https://www.gofundme.com/black-trans-prayer-book

Our Bible App launched! Check it out in your app store. Subscribe and don't forget to leave a comment so others can find it too! (APPLE) & (ANDROID)

In 2017 Louise Omer left behind a marriage, community and possessions to meet women around the world. Asking, where is their place in religion? And can a woman be holy? She is inviting us to join her on this epic trip that began in Australia, and is taking her to Ireland, Sweden, Mexico, Bulgaria, Kenya...and more. Check her out at LouiseOmer.com. 

Matthew Blake, or as I like to call him Mr. Heathen, is the host of Heathen podcast. He’s on the other side of Christianity; the outskirts filled with mysticism, spirituality and well…. Questions. After a very religious upbringing he somehow found himself in this no-mans-land and instead of running scared he’s setting up camp and interviewing the natives. He calls each episode, "spiritual conversations for the godless," answering the call for each of us whether we are a believer or not. How can you not love what he's about? You can catch up with him at https://www.heathenpodcast.com/ or on most social media platforms @HeathenPodcast. 

Antonia Terrazas and her project Holy Blacked Out is a manifesto against bad theology. Using it as an effort to reframe a history of run-ins with crooked-ish Christianity, Antonia is here to talk about her work and the Mountain Top Moments that brought her to it. You should see her work at @HolyBlackedOut on Instagram. I created one from an old purity book on courtship (yeah, I know right?!) one and it truly is therapeutic, allowing us to unbind the damaging messages from books we read years ago. Check out my poem above!

“Sex at its best. Great sex! Sex with cries of delight, with passion and pure desire, not only as a relationship. Your love, far from a curse, is a blessing.” By @CrystalCheatham  @holyblackedout #LordHaveMercy @AntoniaTerrazas

Church is a very Christmasy thing, is it not? There's always some choir to go hear or play of children to witness. But for some folks, church isn't a once a year kind of thing. It's an entire life kind of ritual. Teammates Ray Gentry and Elizabeth Rawlings are here to disrupt all that and they do a fantastic job of make the finer parts of church more appealing. They are definitely onto something. Find out how host Crystal Cheatham brings together liturgy, Wicca and Ray's glorious beard all in a brief 40 minute episode. Find them at DisruptWorshipProject.com Oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

They call it "a visceral language for a visceral gospel." Tuhina Rasche and Jason Chestnut have decided to amplify the intensity of how the good book is read and we are all for it. Join host Crystal Cheatham as she discusses their annual project and what led these two faith leaders to embrace such apparent irreverence. 

Subscribe to the daily advent devotional at Medium.com/FuckThisShit.

Listen in as Ryan Johnstone opens up about their struggles with Christian fundamentalism and being afraid to look at their own body naked in a mirror. Now they are a sex educator and a founder of the sex app KinkedIn. Later on in the episode Rev Sex unravels one of the toughest queer shaming texts in the New Testament.

We all get mad at what's going on in the US today but here's someone who can't stand still and watch. Yaz is a queer faith activist and works for Soulforce. In this episode they talk about the National Religious Broadcasters, the Marriott and what those two things have to do with remembering PULSE. Later Rev. Sex talks about what it's like to get arrested for a God and a people they believe in.