March 17, 2026

Sexuality, Gender Identities, and Quakers

49 minutes

In this special end-of-season episode of Quakers Today, host Peterson Toscano explores the intersections of faith, sex, and gender. As an "Interval" between Seasons 5 and 6, we hear from LGBTQ+ individuals about living their truth with integrity within their spiritual communities. We feature insights from a pioneering transgender priest, a Quaker healer and musician, a best-selling queer author, and voices from the Southeastern Yearly Meeting.

For a full transcript visit www.quakerstoday.org This episode is also available as a YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/@FriendsJournal

This Season of Quakers Today is sponsored by:

Friends Fiduciary

American Friends Service Committee

Transgender Identity and the Church

Rev. Dr. Tina Beardsley, one of the first transgender priests in the Church of England, discusses the evolving challenges trans and non-binary people face within both society and the broader LGBTQ community.

"The trans experience is often about a journey toward wholeness that the church is only beginning to understand."

Healing Through Song

John Calvi, a Quaker healer and writer, shares the story behind the music he composed during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis to provide comfort and spiritual grounding. Many thanks to Pendle Hill and Dwight Dunston for giving us permission to use this excerpt from their podcast, The Seed: Conversations for Radical Hope.

Takeaway: Music can serve as a vessel for collective healing during times of profound community trauma.

Link: John Calvi’s Website

Horror as a Tool for Hope

Queer author Ryan La Sala discusses his new eco-horror book, The Dead of Summer, and explains why "scary stories" are a necessary outlet for processing real-world anxieties.

Takeaway: We need stories that acknowledge the "horrible times" we live in to find the courage to move through them.

Link: The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala

Community Beyond the Binary

Peterson shares audio recorded at the Southeastern Yearly Meeting, capturing a celebration of community that transcends traditional gender binaries.

"It was a celebration of community that transcended traditional gender binaries." — Peterson Toscano

Thank You Notes from the Future

Last month, we asked: If you received a thank-you note from 100 years in the future, what are they thanking you for?

Teacher Margaret (Email): Thanked for providing a "sheltering wing" for a child in turmoil whose descendants are now thriving.

BearCloverCA (TikTok): Thanked for planting native plants and minimizing waste to preserve the Earth.

Daniel Cummings (Social Media): Thanked simply for "not giving up."

ROmAnA (Social Media): Thanked for breaking a cycle of trauma and being a "good mom."

Question for Next Month

What insights or practices guide your relationship with finance today?

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