Talking about mental health is still a challenge. The 'hush-hush'  strategy is  still prevalent when it comes to this topic. But mental health is not just about getting help when we do not feel well. It is about caring for ourselves. It is about regular check-ups and keeping our minds healthy,  and of course, it is also about healing. Taking some simple steps can help us maintain our health and even find our way home to "I am enough".

LINKS:

Ade's Webpage

Brene Brown

Books:

There are still too many countries in the world where being LGBT is illegal. At least being caught in a same-sex relationship. This often leads to greater discrimination within their own communities and families with horrible consequences.  Monika tells her story of running for her life in the hope of a better future. Arriving in a new country she faces old and new challenges that go on for years and years. Still, there is light because of Churches and Organisations that embrace her and offer support.   

LINKS:

The European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups

Church and Organisations Monika mentioned and where she found Family and Support:

Last week we had the opportunity to listen more about the Theory of  Queer Theology. Kerstin Soelderblom told us about her view on what it means and how it can be used to reinterpret some texts as an encouragement for the LGBT+ community. Many of us experienced how the  Bible can be used against us. This has caused a lot of pain and suffering. Not only to the LGBT+ but also other groups of people.  Kerstin has taken the time to show how it can be done. How we can take the story of Joseph, Ruth and Naomi, as well as the story of the Eunuch from Ethiopia, and read them through the "Queer glasses". What might be interesting to some is looking at the texts but also withstanding the widespread urge to read things into the texts that are not there or we cannot know.

LINKS:

The European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups

Kerstin's webpage

Bible texts used:

Literature in English:

The Bible was and is still used to hurt LGBTQ+ people amongst others.  What we need is a new look at the Bible and find out how it can be an encouragement instead of a judgment. Kerstin Soelderblom is giving her perspective on Queer Theology and how we can take a Queer look at the familiar.   

LINKS:

The European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups

Kerstin's webpage  

Bible Verses Kerstin mentioned (positively)

Literature in English:

Ex-gay ministries were the hope for many Christians to change their sexual orientation. Although it never changed anyone's SO, it is still supported by some churches. But what are the consequences of attempting to change one's SO? What happens when LGBTQ+ people realise it doesn't work? How do founders cope with all the pain it caused people? Jeremy  Marks talks about how he became the founder of an ex-gay ministry in  England and his change of mind as well as his personal journey of self-acceptance and life in a mixed-orientation marriage.

LINKS: 

Support the podcast    

What can a decision to live a celibate life do to a person and how does coming out affect one's faith?! Miroslav Matavka shares his journey of wanting to become a monk and how this journey helped him to accept himself as a gay man as well as grow in faith.   

Links: 

The Priceless podcast page    

The European Forum  

Donate to the EU Forum    

SIGNUM – Dúhoví kresťania 

Support hotline for the LGBT+ people of faith in Slovakian  

Community around the queer catholic mass in Munich 

Munich city gay support centre 

Miroslav's testimony for GNRC

Community of Christ has changed its attitude towards same-sex marriages and ordination. Joey Williamson talks about the decision, the process and journey of change.   

Support this podcast

LINKS: 

Podcast Website  

Community of Christ Europe Website    

Common Consent Report and a good overview of the Common Consent process   

Discovering God’s Will   

HARMONY - Advocating for full LGBTQ+ participation in the Community of Christ denomination   

MUSIC by Bobby Richards

Meet Judit Gyarfas from Hungary. Find out about how she struggles with the identity of a pastor and why, why she left the church and came back, how even non-religious parents can use the Bible and the possibility of starting an LGBTQI+ folk dance group.

If you would like to donate:

USA:

LINKS:

Podcast site: http://neprocjenjiva.com/en/the-priceless-podcast/

European Forum: https://www.lgbtchristians.eu/

SUGGESTED RESOURCES BY JUDIT:

Ellen coming out gay

Book: Queer Theory: An Introduction

Book: Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler

Videos:

I'm talking to Judit Gyarfas who is talking about the situation in Hungary with a new restrictive law. This law changed the everyday lives of LGBTIQ+ people in Hungary and made a hard situation even harder.

Dr Arno Steen Andreasen talks about how he became a Christian in the time of HIV/AIDS, his life in a mixed-orientation marriage, his attempts to change his sexual orientation through taking part in reparative therapy, his divorce and decision to come out as a gay man.  

LINKS:

HIS UPCOMING WEBSITE:

Europian Forum of LGBT Christian Groups Website

SUGGESTED BOOKS BY DR ANDREASEN:

- God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines

- The cross in the closet by Timothy Kurek

- Changing our mind by David Gushee

- Walking the bridgeless canyon by Kathy Baldock

- The passion of Christ - a gay vision, text by Kittredge Cherry and

art by Douglas Blanchard

- Jesus in love by Kittredge Cherry