Queer Theology

In this episode, Brian explores a provocative idea: what if your orgasms were a form of activism? In a world that often tries to make people (especially queer folks, women, and non-monogamous people!) feel small, ashamed, or powerless, reclaiming pleasure can be a radical act of resistance. Brian looks at how shame around sex has historically been used as a tool of control and why separating love from sexuality diminishes our aliveness. Tending to your erotic life can fuel both personal healing and political courage. In his own experiences from activism, relationships, and coaching, he argues that pleasure isn’t escapism or indulgence. It’s energy. Connection. And a big reminder of what we’re fighting for. If the world feels heavy right now, we invite you to consider that cultivating desire, intimacy, and even your solo sex life might be one of the most powerful ways to stay fully alive and engaged.

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The post Pleasure is Political appeared first on Queer Theology.

For this episode, Fr. Shannon talks with author Steven C. Law to explore the life and legacy of Rev. Robert W. Wood, a WWII veteran, United Church of Christ pastor, and author of the groundbreaking 1960 book, “Christ and the Homosexual.” Steven is a writer whose work bridges faith and cultural engagement. His commitment to compassionate storytelling enriches “The Story of Bob” with insight and empathy. Drawing from intimate interviews and extensive research, Law brings to life Bob’s journey and activism that helped lay the foundation for greater acceptance. Steven shares how he met Bob at a moment of profound grief, how that pastoral visit became a six-year writing journey, and why Bob’s story of faith, secrecy, love, and moral courage still speaks powerfully today. He reflects on queer theology before it had a name, the cost of living in a heteronormative church culture, and the sacred risk of finally telling the truth about the love of your life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Steven Law’s Journey

05:37 Transition from Preaching to Literature

11:00 The Impact of GLBTQ Experiences on Theology

16:30 Bob’s Story: A Journey of Faith and Identity

27:14 The Search for Meaning in the Aftermath of War

27:51 Faith and Judgment: A Personal Struggle

33:13 The Journey to Acceptance and Ministry

44:53 Moral Development and Personal Conviction

50:40 Love, Loss, and Legacy

Resources:

The Story of Bob by Steven C. Law

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

The post The Story of Bob: an Interview with Steven C. Law appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a listener question and then queer Matthew 17:1–9 for the second Sunday in Lent. The Transfiguration as a powerful coming out story and when we reflect on Jesus taking his closest friends up the mountain, revealing something radiant and vulnerable about his identity, and asking them to hold that truth tenderly for a time, it’s an experience that resonates deeply with queer and trans journeys of self-disclosure. This is the moment of courage for Jesus and encourages us to also claim who we are even when the road ahead is uncertain or costly. The Transfiguration becomes not just a spectacle, but an intimate revelation, a holy transformation, and good news for anyone navigating identity, fear, and faith.

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The post When Jesus Came Out – Queering the Transfiguration appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this solo episode, Fr. Shannon is sharing his curated list of favorite books about theology, prayer, memoir, the Bible, and in-depth study- which is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their faith with a queer and justice-centered lens. He reflects on the texts that have shaped his theology and imagination and highlights transformative prayer resources. He also offers his go-to Bible study tools for serious Biblical-themed nerding out, resources that have stretched, grounded, and inspired his faith. Whether you’re brand new to Queer Theology, ready to go deeper, or need some reading inspo, this episode is packed with thoughtful recommendations to add to your reading list!

Fr. Shay’s Must-Read List:

Resources:

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

The post Bible Nerd Starter Pack appeared first on Queer Theology.

A guided audio experience for this time of reflection and renewal as we work toward collective liberation.

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The post Queering Lent appeared first on Queer Theology.

In an inspiring episode, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@rabbidanyaruttenberg) returns to the podcast to explore what it means to treat our lives, and our world, as sacred texts in a time of rising fascism, burnout, and moral confusion. Shaped by decades of organizing, she challenges the false divide between “religious” and “moral” behavior, reminding us that any authentic spiritual life must be rooted in dignity, accountability, and collective liberation. Drawing on Torah, the prophets, and centuries of Jewish wisdom, Danya invites us to reframe sacred text- not as unquestionable doctrine, but as a call to wrestle with, resist empire, and build just systems that protect the most vulnerable. She shares how spiritual practice expanded her activist imagination beyond the limits of our hyper-individualistic culture and why solidarity is the only way home. This is your invitation to fight with those texts, fight for one another, and remember that liberation isn’t symbolic, it’s collective, embodied, and urgently needed now!

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Life as a Sacred Text

04:19 Moral and Religious Obligations

08:12 Engaging with Ancient Texts

15:14 The Journey Through Torah

20:39 Torah as Liberation

23:54 Activism and Ancient Wisdom

33:56 Collective Liberation and Solidarity

35:50 Finding One’s Identity

39:15 Life as a Sacred Text

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The post Torah as Liberation with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg appeared first on Queer Theology.

We’re going back to the beginning for this episode as we dive into Genesis 1–3 to unpack how dominant Christian narratives of “the fall” and “original sin” have shaped theology, politics, and our sense of human worth. Reflecting on our evangelical upbringings, we explore how starting the story with human failure robs us of agency and fuels passivity which can be religious or political! But what if we contrast that with an alternative framework rooted in original goodness or original blessing? The narrative changes and so does how we approach conversations about scripture, ritual, social justice, and the stories we tell about ourselves and about the world. How we interpret these ancient texts deeply affects how we treat ourselves, one another, and our collective responsibility to create a more just and compassionate future.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Genesis: The Foundation of Faith

08:27 Agency and Salvation: A Shift in Perspective

11:44 From Original Sin to Original Blessing

18:11 The Power of Ritual and Community

25:15 Reimagining Stories: The Path to a Better Future

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The post In The Beginning We Were Good appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we return to our roots and queer the passage, Matthew 4:12–23 by exploring Jesus’s turn toward public ministry in the wake of John the Baptist’s arrest and what that moment of political repression reveals about courage, solidarity, and collective action. In light of the state violence and community resistance and ongoing organizing and protests in Minneapolis, we reflect on Jesus stepping into an already-existing movement, calling others to follow, and proclaiming a kingdom that disrupts unjust systems. We look at what is deemed “criminal” and the power of showing up, building local networks, and plugging into work that’s already happening in your community. We invite y’all to consider how faith, justice, and everyday acts of community care are deeply intertwined and how the light that dawns in dark places is something we choose to carry together.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Matthew 4: The Call to Action

02:47 Reflections on Resistance and Community Organizing

05:42 The Role of Criminality in Social Justice

08:23 Building Community and Infrastructure

11:11 Engaging with Local Movements

13:55 The Power of Small Actions

16:39 Finding Common Ground in Community

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The post After the Arrest: Faith Under Occupation appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, Brian is joined by the inimitable Reverend Sex @reverand_sex (Alba Onofrio), executive director of Soulforce (@souforceorg), for a conversation about queer faith, spiritual violence, and the liberative possibilities of sex-positive theology. Rev. Alba Onofrio is a theologian and spiritual activist rooted in the U.S. South, engaged in human rights work for over two decades throughout the U.S. and Latin America. As a queer, feminist Christian pastor, their ministry moves at the intersections of religion, gender, and sexuality to heal the wounds of spiritual violence and weaponized religion. Also known as Reverend Sex and co-founder of the Sexual Liberation Collective, their global education work seeks to eradicate shame and fear around bodies and sex, reclaiming pleasure and desire as sacred centers of knowledge, healing, and spiritual practice. As Executive Director and Spiritual Strategist of Soulforce, Rev. Alba has published liberatory theological resources uncovering the ideologies of white Christian Supremacy. Their work has been translated into seven languages and shared around the world. Brian and Rev. Alba talk about Soulforce’s evolution from direct action to global culture-change work and unpack the realities of white Christian supremacy. They get into how it is important to name the lasting harm, and healing, around weaponized religion. Rev. Alba shares how moving beyond deconstruction into reconstruction opens up conversations about consent, pleasure, bodily autonomy, and finding the divine everywhere from drag worship to kink spaces, while also highlighting Soulforce’s projects like Shameless Theology and an upcoming book on spiritual violence. 

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The post Butt Sex, Baptism, and the Divine with Rev. Alba Onofrio appeared first on Queer Theology.

Fr. Shannon is joined this week by author Margot Douaihy (@NeonMargot), and this is very exciting for him since he is a huge fan of her Sister Holiday series! Margot is a professor of creative writing at Emerson College as well as the author of the award-winning, nationally bestselling Sister Holiday series, as well as the poetry collections “Bandit/Queen: The Runaway Story of Belle Starr, Scranton Lace, and Girls Like You.” Her debut mystery, “Scorched Grace,” won The Pinckley Prize in Crime Fiction and was named a Best Crime Novel of the Year by the New York Times, Guardian, and others. In this conversation, Margot reflects on her Maronite Catholic upbringing, her queerness, and how those threads come together in her noir mystery series, which features a devout, tattooed, riot-girl lesbian nun navigating crime, desire, justice, and faith in New Orleans. She discusses subverting the crime genre, queering narratives of law and order, desire and celibacy, found family, and the sacred possibilities of storytelling. There is so much holiness in storytelling, and Margot’s work shows why art and community matter more now than ever.

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The post Lesbian Nuns, Punk Rock, and God with Margot Douaihy appeared first on Queer Theology.