Shameless Theology: Queer Feminist Latine Decolonial Faith

Today we bring you a conversation from the archives - Rev. Alba Onofrio, Nadia Arellano, Belén Morales, Maura Fernández Salas, Megan Sharkey, and Rev. Rhina Ramos discussing the spiritual violence of the ICE raids in Los Angeles and the ways that nonviolent resistance must be relentless, community-based, and founded on solidarity. They discuss the fragile nature of the regime's power and the overwhelming strength of Latine people across the USA.

Friday From the Archives is hosted by Nadia Arellano, the Associate Director of Soulforce. 

The other content on this channel is Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce). Soulforce’s podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

In this Love Letter, Rev. Sex speaks directly to those who have been taught to fear a wrathful God who threatens disobedience with eternal punishment. Reverend Sex breaks down the pervasive nature of fear within Christian theology, particularly the fear of hell and divine punishment, and how this fear can freeze believers. The right reverend emphasizes the importance of decolonizing one's understanding of God, shifting from a fear-based relationship to one centered on love, authenticity, and divine companionship. The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer for those overwhelmed by fear and a call to practical action rooted in courage, community, and faith.

00:00 Introduction to Love Letters with Reverend Sex

01:38 Personal Reflections and Fear

02:29 Understanding Fear in Theology

05:05 Trauma Responses and Community Challenges

09:13 Decolonizing God and Faith

17:38 Prayers and Final Thoughts

21:35 Closing Remarks and Resources

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

Host Reverend Alba Onofrio (Reverend Sex) welcomes Dr. Nancy Bedford to explore the intersections of queer and feminist theology within the Latin American context. The discussion delves into Bedford's personal journey and her work, emphasizing the critical role of decolonial theology. Topics include the reinterpretation of religious texts, especially the Bible, through the empowering lens of feminist and queer readings. Bedford highlights the importance of community, mutuality, and the role of spirituality in resisting oppressive structures. The conversation also touches on the historical and contemporary significance of influential women in theology, and the broader implications of their work for faith-based activism today.

00:00 Introduction to Queer and Feminist Theology

02:08 Meet Nancy Bedford: A Journey of Faith and Feminism

03:39 The Power of Grace and Resistance

06:01 The Intersection of Faith and Feminism

15:05 Theological Feminism and Liberation

19:32 Global Perspectives on Feminism

32:02 Complementarianism and Mutuality

34:38 The Advocate and Transformation

35:19 Spirituality and Enjoyment

36:35 Community and Accountability

38:58 Mother God and the Holy Spirit

40:23 Theology and Interpretation

52:06 The Power of Prayer and Contemplation

53:39 Historical Resistance and Cultural Values

55:46 The Role of Theology in Modern Times

59:21 The Importance of Spiritual Resources

01:01:45 Honoring Ancestors and Personal Influences

Dr. Nancy Elizabeth Bedford has been Georgia Harkness Professor of Theology at Garrett Theological Seminary since 2003; previously she taught theology in her home country of Argentina. She has written, co-written, or edited eleven books and written over 100 book chapters and journal articles, which have appeared in six languages. Her forthcoming book is Jesús: Una cristología al andar and her latest book chapter is “La teología frente a la violencia feminicida.”

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

In this first episode of 'Love Letters From Reverend Sex,' Reverend Alba Onofrio, also known as Reverend Sex, commemorates their 10th anniversary of ordained ministry. They reflect on their unconventional ministry journey as a Queer feminist Latinx spiritual strategist with Soulforce and the Sexual Liberation Collective. Reverend Sex discusses their ordination by a diverse group of radical queers in Durham, North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of fighting spiritual violence and reclaiming theology for marginalized communities. They share how creative rituals, such as adapted communion and a reimagined 'Our Mother' prayer, play a role in their ministry. The episode also touches on the significance of community accountability and the intersection of faith and activism in working towards liberation and spiritual healing.

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

Can pleasure be divine? How do you become shameless after decades of living under the lies and pain of purity culture? What does shameless theology look like?

In this first English episode of TSV, Reverend Sex introduces the vibrant world of Queer and feminist theology, focusing on communities from Latin America and its diaspora. Reverend Sex and their guest, the Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz, discuss their personal and communal journeys of integrating Queer identity, activism, and faith. They touch upon themes of cultural and spiritual exile, the myths of purity culture, and the intersections of queerness and Christianity. They reflect on their shared history, the life-giving nature of their work, and their ongoing quest for spiritual and sexual liberation.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Queer and Feminist Theology

01:30 Meet the Hosts: Reverend Sex and Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz

03:42 The Concept of 'Sin Vergüenza' and Personal Stories

09:51 The Intersection of Activism, Theology, and Queerness

13:33 Challenges and Triumphs in Queer Christian Communities

22:37 Sexuality, Purity Culture, and Personal Growth

28:15 Adventurous Beginnings

28:29 Exploring Non-Monogamy

28:59 Academic and Cultural Challenges

29:44 Discovering Dominatrix

30:12 Embracing Non-Monogamy

31:16 Navigating Relationships

38:07 Purity Culture vs. Asexuality

41:06 Institutional Navigation

44:41 Spiritual and Personal Growth

50:55 Creating Life-Giving Projects

52:46 Conclusion and Reflections

Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is a performing artist, educator, and practical theologian. Lis works as Associate Professor of Homiletics and Worship, and Director of Community Worship Life at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL. Rev. Valle received a ThM in Homiletics from Princeton Theological Seminary and an MDiv from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She also holds a JD and a BA in Education from the University of Puerto Rico. Her research interests lie at the intersection of preaching, worship, and performance studies from Queer decolonial perspectives.

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

Welcome to Teología Sin Vergüenza (TSV)! This is a podcast about shameless theology that centers dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology. Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful.

TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/

Teología Sin Vergüenza (TSV) is a unique podcast that amplifies ferocious queer, feminist, academically-trained Latinx theologians who are living examples of counter-narratives and theological resistance to the political and religious threats our people face.

This media project is the first of its kind: a woman-led and queer-centered conversation space where activists and theologians convene digitally across the Americas to discuss the alternatives to death-dealing theologies of Christian fundamentalism that kill our spirits and impede our progress to equal human rights — all from an unapologetically politicized faith perspective.