In this episode, the Reverend Dr. Raymont Anderson shares his transformative spiritual journey from conservative Christianity and self-hatred to embracing a universal, inclusive spirituality rooted in New Thought and Unity teachings.

 Discover how his insights challenge traditional religious paradigms and inspire a more loving, self-empowered approach to spirituality.

It's an inspiring and challenging chat that helped lead me to re-examine some of my own practices.  Hope you enjoy!

Lear more about Ray and the Center for Spiritual Living below:

https://www.raymontanderson.com/

https://www.spirituallyintegratedarts.org/

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In this episode, Xander Keig shares his journey through lesbian and trans identity, exploring the intersections of spirituality, religion, and community. We discuss the many possible dimensions within trans identity, the role of spirituality in LGBTQ+ lives, the way in which activist culture can both animate and limit us, and the distinction between authenticity and congruity.  It's a fascinating conversation!

To learn more about Zander, check out these links to his writings, podcasts, and social work!

Third Space Podcast https://thethirdspacepodcast.substack.com/

The Third Space : A Nonconformist's Guide to the Universe - Book https://www.amazon.com/dp/1613431694?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

The Umbrella Hour Podcast https://theumbrellahour.substack.com/

4 Trans Guys Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpLgriCXjRc0p8BdXMlAPzgV_-I7sT9gl

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In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Duncan Teague.  Reverend Teague is lead minister and founder of the Abundant LUUv Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Atlanta. He is an out, Black, gay man recognized by Georgia legislators for his decades of HIV/AIDS research, education and advocacy. He previously was Faith Outreach Consultant for Freedom to Marry for marriage equality in Georgia.  Rev. Teague is a senior member of The ADODI Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble. 

After sitting in on his worship service, we had a great Cajun Brunch before talking about a wide variety of topics including our humankind's connection to all living things, how we maintain our humanity in the face of adversity, and his incredible journey.

He was introduced to us by the Outwords Archive.  Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders.  A link to their incredible site is below.

Links: 

Abundant Luuv:  https://aluuv.org/

Aodoi Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble: https://aafa.galileo.usg.edu/repositories/2/resources/250

The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/

Duncan's Outwords Interview: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/duncan-teague/

The Sound of the Genuine by Robert Thurman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRKCfbV8eBU

Remaining Human by Brian Lewis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2201450744/posts/10163003245855745/

Audio Engineering by Sarah Walls

Brunch from Café Bourbon in Atlanta

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In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Robert Arrington.  Reverend Arrington is the Founder and Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church of Charleston.  He’s a passionate advocate for social change, for the LGBTQIA+ community, for Queer people of color, and for people living with HIV.  It was recorded at The North Charleston LGBTQIA+ Community Center

He discusses his own journey from a difficult and abusive childhood, battles with poverty and violence, being told he has "Gay Demon" inside him, fighting his own Church to be ordained, and now leading a ministry on his own terms.    

Reverend Arrington was introduced to us by the Outwords Archive.  Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders.  A link to their incredible site is below.

Links:

We Are Family (the North Charleston LGBTQIA+ Center): https://waf.org/

Unity Charleston: https://www.unitycharleston.com/

The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/

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In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Dale Worley.  Reverend Worley is the spiritual leader and administrative director at Unity of Savannah, a center for spiritual awakening in Savannah, Georgia, whose mission is to be an inclusive community that embraces a positive. loving and uplifting approach to spirituality. 

Rev. Worley discusses his own journey through turmoil, addiction, coming out, and finding his calling.  He helps us understand the mission of his spiritual center and also his personal philosophy of finding our own divinity.  It's an uplifting, moving, and fun conversation. 

This episode is sponsored by Queering Precedent, a fantastic podcast from the Outwords Archive.
Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders, and this podcast looks at the legal and political landscape through their eyes. 

Links:

Unity Savannah: https://unitysavannah.org/

The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/

Queering Precedent: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/queering-precedent/

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In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley sits with with John Smid, a former leader of the ex-gay ministry Love in Action. John shares his extraordinary journey from coming out as gay in the late 1970s, to entering conversion therapy, and eventually renouncing those practices. He discusses the emotional toll of ex-gay ministries, the impact on families, and his path to redemption and acceptance. John reflects on the importance of community, love, and living in uncertainty, emphasizing the need for grace and understanding in a world that often lacks it.

This is a little longer than our normal episode, but it's a remarkable journey that I hope you'll enjoy taking with me.  

Episode Links:  

We discuss the documentary This Is What Love In Action Looks Like, which chronicled a protest outside the headquarters of the Memphis-based conversion therapy center of Love In Action.  Here's a link to that doc: https://tubitv.com/movies/100003746/this-is-what-love-in-action-looks-like

Here's a link to the trailer.

To follow this podcast on social or learn more, check out our linktree here.  

Please drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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In this episode, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Willow Sipling. Willow is a public policy sociologist focusing her research and writing on organizational ethics, religious fundamentalism, and conversion therapy. 

Willow also serves as a nonprofit leader at OutCenter Southwest Michigan and is completing a PhD at Western Michigan University.  Willow grew up intersex and trans in a conservative religious household, and through her spiritual journey visited on many different faith traditions.  

As she navigates her path, she highlights the significance of critical thinking and the need for inclusive spaces within religious contexts. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the broader implications of faith, identity, and the ongoing fight for acceptance and understanding within religious institutions, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to spirituality.  It's a fascinating journey that I know you'll enjoy. 

To learn more about check out her website here: https://willowsipling.com/

To follow this podcast on social or learn more, check out our linktree here.  

Please drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley engages in a lively discussion with Jeza Belle, a drag performer, Bible scholar, and accomplished author. 

The conversation covers Jeza's journey navigating her Jewish and Christian upbringing, her studies at a conservative Southern religious college, the intersection of her faith with her drag persona, her motivations behind writing her award-winning book, Jeza's Jesus Juice, and her recent and upcoming LGBTQ+ historical fiction books.

Jeza shares her insights on pride, grace, and radical inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.  

You can see more about Jeza on her website iamjezabelle.  And be sure to check out links to her writings, including her award-winning devotional Jeza's Jesus Juice, and her new novel Abomination:  The Story of David and Jonathan. 

Jeza's Instagram

Jeza's Facebook

Credits:

Audio Assistant: Gerry Milligan

Production Assistant:  Ben Medley

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In this episode of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch,' host Stephen Stanley sits down with Pastor Bill White of City Church Long Beach to discuss his evolving views on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. Bill shares his personal journey, sparked by his son's coming out, which transitioned him from a conservative evangelical stance to becoming an affirming advocate. 

They delve into the challenges and breakthroughs in Bill's ministry and his outreach work with Small Church Big Table, a nonprofit coaching evangelical leaders on fostering inclusive environments. Join them for a heartfelt conversation about love, faith, and the transformative power of acceptance.

You can read his son's moving re-telling of his journey in the NY Times to coming out to his dad here.

And you can listen or read to Bill's journals and further reflections in the NY Times here.  (I recommend the listen option!)

To follow us on social or learn more, check out our linktree here.  

Drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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Episode 7:  Flamy Grant

In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley sits down with Flamy Grant, a groundbreaking, openly queer singer-songwriter who has made big waves in the contemporary Christian music scene. Flamy shares her journey from being raised in a conservative evangelical environment to becoming a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in a genre that has never had a drag performer top its charts before. Through her defiant and joyous music, Flamy demonstrates the importance of inclusivity and the rejection of gatekeeping in spiritual spaces.

To learn more about Flamy, check out her website at www.flamygrant.com.  You can check out her music and touring schedule there, or listen to her on all major platforms.  

To follow up on social or learn more, check out our linktree here.  

Drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

Song Credits:

Everything's Made Up (c) 2022, Flamy Grant

Good Day (c) 2022, Flamy Grant from the album Bible Belt Baby.

Songs used with permission of Artist.

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