Queer Theology

This episode features a powerful conversation between Rev. Don Abram and Brian on reimagining care as an abundant resource rather than a scarce commodity. Don Abram (@towardpride) is a Chicago-based social innovator and founder of Toward Pride, leading work that advances the well-being of Black LGBTQ+ communities through partnerships with civic, cultural, and community institutions. Don shares how his Christian faith shapes a vision of both interpersonal and structural care, calling individuals and institutions alike to move beyond affirmation toward active advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities. Brian and Don discuss Toward Pride’s Institutional Church Continuum from ‘antagonizing’ to ‘advocating’ churches and the organization’s evolution from Pride in the Pews to Toward Pride, and why religion must be understood as a social determinant of health. This conversation calls us to think beyond debates over theology and instead consider how faith, public policy, healthcare, education, and housing intersect to either harm or help marginalized communities.

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In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on growing up in a high-control evangelical religion where every aspect of faith and how he was supposed to show up, was laid out for him. It was a long journey to untangle those deeply ingrained beliefs, but when we explore how harmful messages and unrealistic expectations can shape anyone’s spiritual life, not just those from high-control religious spaces, then we can see why taking ownership of our faith is so crucial. Rather than waiting for perfect circumstances, we should seek to embrace opportunities for healthy, life giving spiritual growth and discover a faith that is truly our own.

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What do you do when you come across difficult passages in the Bible? In this episode, Fr. Shannon explores how to engage with challenging texts, especially those often used to condemn LGBTQ people, as well as passages that portray God as violent, or seem to support slavery, or take a negative view of sex and the body. While some see these verses as a reason to abandon the Bible altogether, Fr. Shannon offers a different perspective for those who want to remain rooted in the Christian tradition. He shares three practical ways to grapple with hard passages honestly, thoughtfully, and with faith.

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Fr. Shannon is joined by author Catherine Meeks on the pod this week to talk about self-interrogation, discernment, and what it means to move beyond being an ally toward becoming a committed co-resistor and fellow pilgrim in the work of collective liberation. Catherine Meeks, PhD, is the founder of the Turquoise & Lavender Institute for Transformation and Healing and a nationally recognized leader in racial healing and spiritual transformation. She is the author of “Bridging the Rivers of Difference” as well as “The Night Is Long but Light Comes in the Morning” and”The Quilted Life”. A regular contributing columnist for Baptist News Global, she is widely known for her decades of work advancing dialogue, reconciliation, and community-based healing, and is a recipient of the President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award. In this thoughtful conversation, she shares the vision behind the Turquoise and Lavender Institute and discusses why healing must extend beyond race to encompass the many ways we divide ourselves. Drawing from decades of work in racial healing, she talks about her new book, and invites us to imagine a new path forward rooted in solidarity rather than competition among marginalized communities. Dr. Meeks explains the dangers of the “oppression Olympics,” the impact of internalized oppression, and the essential inner work required for lasting social change. Her message is a powerful invitation to cultivate both personal and communal healing in service of the common good.

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Brian is joined by his longtime friend, Michael R. Speciàle (@speciale.mr) on this pod this week for an interview that is funny, provocative, and moving. Michael is a writer, performer, and cultural strategist based in Los Angeles. He grew up between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, converted himself to the Mormon Church at fifteen, faithfully served a mission in Paraguay, and left the Church at twenty-three. Two decades later, that experience became the catalyst for “Bottoming for Jesus” which is his debut solo work. The conversation is an exploration of faith, sexuality, belonging, and the search for purpose. Drawing from his experience converting to Mormonism as a teenager, serving as a missionary, and later embracing his queer identity, Michael reflects on the performances we all give to find acceptance, the ways religion and desire can intertwine, and the lingering impact of religious trauma. Brian and Michael discuss queer hospitality, hookup culture, creative healing, and the surprising ways friendship shaped both of their lives. They also unpack the show’s irreverent title, its liturgical structure, the role of Judy Garland as a queer patron saint, and Michael’s powerful reimagining of atonement and repentance as practices of self-acceptance rather than shame. Michael invites listeners to consider what holes they’re trying to fill, and what it might mean to finally come home to themselves.

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In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on the grief and complexity of navigating a strained relationship with family after coming out. After a recent trip home, he shares the painful realization that no amount of patience or perfectly crafted theological arguments can change people who are unwilling to change. It’s ok to grieve the family relationships we hoped for while still honoring our own needs through healthy boundaries. AND recognizing that boundaries can be reassessed and reaffirmed over time. Most importantly, Fr. Shannon reminds us that Chosen Family and supportive community are essential lifelines. While this journey is messy, painful, and deeply personal, you don’t have to walk it alone.

Resources:

Soul Safe on-demand workshop

Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/

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Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (@timothy.s.rodriguez) joins Brian on pod this week to discuss his debut memoir, “Conversion Therapy Dropout,”  and his journey through eight years of conversion therapy, evangelical megachurch culture, sobriety, and spiritual reconstruction. Tim spent almost a decade in gay conversion therapy- all while working behind the scenes at some of the most influential Evangelical Christian megachurches. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity, an organization that helps queer people find affirming faith communities. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home, where he continues his work as a writer, digital strategist, and advocate for queer people of faith. In this conversation, Tim shares how he was drawn into the ex-gay movement, the hidden realities of conversion therapy today, and the challenges of navigating faith, sexuality, and belonging. He talks about the lasting impact of religious shame, the connection between queer identity and recovery, the search for affirming spiritual community, and the ongoing fight against Christian nationalism and anti-LGBTQ theology. Brian and Tim reflect on resilience, chosen family, the transformative power of queer community, and why no one should have to choose between their faith and who they are.

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In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on how we can reconnect with spiritual practices after being hurt by faith communities or religious experiences. Following a personal experience that left him with hurt feelings (see episode 642!), he realized the importance of intentionally creating space for meaningful spiritual rituals. Fr. Shannon explores how many queer people, after stepping away from faith because of harm, often find themselves missing the sense of ritual, connection, and meaning those practices once provided. Rather than returning to traditions that caused pain, he offers thoughtful and practical ideas for building new, life-giving spiritual practices. Whether you have a religious background or are exploring spirituality for the first time, this guidance is for creating practices that are meaningful, nourishing, and affirming, while also helping to cultivate a spirituality that challenges us in healthy ways while sustaining our well-being.

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We’re so excited to welcome comedian, author, and internet storyteller Kevin James Thornton (@kevinjamesthornton) to the Podcast this week to talk about his new memoir, Big Gay Baby: On Beginnings, Endings, and Being Unapologetically Yourself. Kevin reflects on the accidental TikTok videos that connected thousands of people through shared experiences of growing up in fundamentalist Christianity, the role humor plays in surviving and healing religious trauma, and the long, messy process of discovering who he is beyond the expectations of church and family. We explore queer identity, faith, heartbreak, creativity, community, and the surprising freedom that can come from starting over at any age. From evangelical youth group skits and Rocky Horror screenings to comedy, art, and life after religion, Kevin is funny, tender, and deeply resonant for anyone navigating endings, new beginnings, or the ongoing journey of becoming themselves.

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Learn more about Kevin at https://www.kevinjamesthornton.com/

Order Kevin’s book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kevin-james-thornton/big-baby/9780306836763/

Follow Kevin on Social: IG and TikTok @kevinjamesthornton

Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/

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On this week’s episode, Fr. Shannon responds to listener questions that touch on some of the core themes of his (and Brian’s!) work and ministry. He explores what Jesus meant by the “narrow path,” reframing it not as a difficult and exclusionary road toward a distant heavenly reward, but as the daily work of building community, loving our neighbors, and helping bring about the kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. He also answers a questions about the idea of false prophets and the ways fear-based religion can disconnect us from our own bodies, intuition, and sense of The Divine. Fr. Shannon reflects on the sacred work of learning to trust yourself and recognize that God may speak to different people in different ways, encouraging y’all to lean more deeply into the places where you experience truth, connection, and liberation.

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