Amazing Grace: Stories of Lesbian and Gay Faith
A collection of autobiographical writings by lesbian/gay Christians.
This one stands out for several reasons. First, it is ecumenical,
rather than denominational, in focus; second, there are fewer stories
than the other autobiographical collections and the stories are longer.
While all such collections are worth reading (and some more so,
depending on your denomination), I think this is a particularly rich
one, and I highly recommend it.
Chris Glaser is a gay male Presbyterian with a great story, a powerful
vision and serious writing skills. This is his "introductory" book
(other resources by him are listed elsewhere here), and it covers
welcoming God's acceptance, receiving one's Christian inheritance,
discerning one's call, making witness, and declaring one's vision. The
usual topics, such as Biblical passages, are discussed, but what's best
about this book is the overall way it hangs together. If you are
l/g/b/t and Christian, this is a must-read.
A beautiful collection of prayers, accessible to a wide audience, and
covering many issues that Christian lesbians and gay men face. (It also
shows off Glaser's politically progressive streak, which I personally
appreciate.)
Hallelujia - a book that assumes (rather than bothering to argue) that
l/g/b/t folks are spiritual - and that then details the spiritual work
we do! O'Neill and Ritter use stories to illuminate the transformative
path traveled by some l/g/b/t people of faith (the book is not
particularly Christian). A must-read for l/g/b/t spiritual seekers and
those who pastor or counsel them.
One of the most powerful books on Christianity and homosexuality that I
have ever read. It tries to do several things at once and does virtually
all of them well, but its subtitle is misleading; it does not primarily
consist of the stories of "gay Christians." However, Fortunato tells his
story beautifully, and shows clearly what Christian spiritual surrender
is like, as well as indicating how traditional and spiritual
psychotherapy differ. This book may well disturb you, in the sense of
disturbing belief systems you weren't even aware you had. I recommend
it for everyone trying to live a spiritual life, Christian or not,
l/g/b/t or not, in or out of therapy.
I think this is the best book of its type available. This very useful
collection of liturgy, broadly defined, for l/g/b/t people of faith,
includes rites to mark spiritual beginnings, rites of healing, funerals
and memorial services, rites of blessing, seasonal and holiday rites,
covenant rites for couples (but l/g/b/t folk who are planning to wed
should be aware that this is a very small section of the book), rites of
holy communion and rites of lesbian/gay pride and empowerment. The book
also has a helpful introduction. I can't say enough good things about
it, so I'll just stop and recommend it.
A powerful, unabashedly justice-centered re-envisioning of sexual ethics
by a pro-feminist anti-racist gay man. By setting sexual ethics in a
social justice context and drawing on the social sciences to think
through the profound limits of sexual theology today, Ellison does us
all a real service. As long as our culture organizes sexuality around
fear and control, this book will be cutting-edge. A specialized read,
and some background in anti-oppression theory and/or sexual ethics is
very helpful - but Ellison writes well and his passion is invigorating.
Highly recommended for those with interest and experience in thinking
about these issues; others may enjoy it but may feel a bit overwhelmed.
Creative contemporary gay liberation theology, not so much focused on
the traditional "texts of terror" as on new readings of other Biblical
passages that suggest or inspire freedom. Comstock occupies a place at
the same time within and on the margins of the church, and the last
several chapters may disturb some Christians. Nonetheless, I recommend
the book wholeheartedly to all l/g/b/t people of faith; it is very
readable and very real.
A very good collection of essays by a lesbian feminist United Church of
Christ minister. Essays include Morrison's personal experiences and
thoughts on liturgy, theology, history and other areas. Different people will be moved by different essays; the ones that really got to me
profoundly were "Humility Reconsidered," "The Cross and the Triangle,"
"Is it Okay to be Happy?," and "Refraining from Explaining." The essay
"The Pearl of Great Price" is worth the cost of the book.
Wholeheartedly recommended for all.
A tremendous, important and readable book that starts with heterosexism
as the problem, defines, evaluates and analyzes it, and offers a way
toward a non-heterosexist future. Part theology, part Biblical analysis,
part politics, this is an excellent book and I recommend it for everyone
who might be reading this list.
First published in 1978, this book was - and remains - "a powerful
wake-up call for Christians to reexamine their attitudes toward lesbian
and gay people." Scanzoni and Mollenkott present much of the same
information as other such books - Scripture discussions, personal
stories, ethics, the scientific perspective - but have much more
information from a sociological perspective than comparable books, which
I find very useful. They have added updated information on AIDS, the
"gays in the military" debate and genetic research. The preface, where
they tell the story of how the book came to be, really moved me. Even
with all the other books out there, I'd put this up high on my
collection list.
Hang onto your hats! Goss is very angry, very pained, very strongly
called to seek justice for lesbian/gay people, and very steeped in
post-structuralist (including Foucaultian) writing and thinking. The
result is a densely written and argued book in which about the clearest
thing is Goss' passion. There are wonderful moments in this book and I
love Goss' theology, but I must note the turgid writing style (why
should a commitment to post-structuralism necessarily lead to such a lack
of elegance?) I have an M.A. in sociology and I've spent years reading
Foucault, and I still struggle with some of Goss' book; I worry about
its readability for others without the background. But if you're up for
the ride, you'll find much wisdom and insight here.
I'd rank this up there with Glaser's Come Home!; it is a basic must-read
for l/g/b/t Christians. You may or may not resonate with Williams'
particular story, but this is an excellent book. The sections are
entitled, "Who Says? Sources of the Truth," "I Believe: Basic Christian
Doctrines" (this section includes a discussion of Jesus as elder
brother), "Finding God in Gay Experience: The Vocation of Queer
Christians," and "The Resurrection of the Body: Life, Death and
Healing." Williams died of AIDS not long after the book came out; what
a loss for gay Christians!
One of my favorite contemporary gay liberation theology books, with an
interesting twist: Cleaver came out before he became a Christian, and
has had essentially no struggle between these two facets of himself. It
shows through in this creative, delightful, refreshing piece of work. I
use parts of this book in my adult religious education work. Highly
recommended.
An extensive list of queer religious resources, this guide includes
sections on periodicals and newsletters, national organizations and
support networks, curricula and study resources, dissertations, Jewish
resources, AISD ministry resources, new age and alternative spirituality
resources, books in print, books believed to be out of print,
bibliographies and directories. A very helpful resources, though
organizational contacts and addresses have changed over time, and many
new resources are now available. Hopefully, Brian can still be reached
at the address above to provide an updated edition. The front cover is
particularly beautiful.
Self-description: a "resource for congregations and individuals seeking
to be in ministry with lesbian, bisexual and gay persons. Each issue
focuses on a specific area of concern within the church." A terrific
resource; I commend it to all people interested in homosexuality and
Christianity at any level. Gentle, forward-looking, justice-focused,
willing to challenge itself when any kind of inclusion issue arises,
this journal will remind lots of people what's good about Christianity
for a change. Subscribe, and avail yourself of the many interesting
back issues.
This extensive book list covers Christian traditions (general surveys,
Roman Catholic traditions, Protestant traditions, Bible interpretation,
devotional literature, pastoral care and counseling), Jewish traditions,
Eastern religious traditions, alternative viewpoints and journeys,
ceremonies and rituals and historical scholarship, as well as providing
a list of gay/lesbian religious organizations, other resources, and
sources cited (itself a helpful list). This checklist, which is updated
regularly, is excellent and is a must-have for anyone who ever needs to
act as an authority on issues of religion and sexuality.
A beautiful and very important resource for queer people of faith,
Christian or otherwise. This one makes my top five list. Extremely
creative Biblical and theological material, with such chapters as
"Biblical support for honoring human diversity," "Gender constructs and
the human imaging of God," "Eros as a spiritual urge," "The
sex-love-justice connection in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures," and
"Some Beatitudes for today's church: Toward becoming more functional
church 'families'." Even the appendices are creative: "Milton's use of
the Bible to defend divorce for incompatibility" and "Diverse forms of
family mentioned or implied in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures."
Enjoy!
Helminiak has done the world a favor by synthesizing information in many
of the other available Biblical resources and presenting it in a simple
but not simplistic format. If you need to recommend only one book on
the Bible and homosexuality, this is a pretty good bet.
A daily meditation book of Biblical passages, reflections and prayers;
this is a terrific resource for those trying to integrate their
Christianity and homosexuality in daily reflection, meditation and
prayer (including pastors, priests and ministers). Glaser's passion and
wisdom shines in this collection, as in all his others.
Malcolm Boyd and Nancy
Wilson, eds. Freedom, CA: Crossing Press, 1991.
Come Home! Reclaiming Spirituality and Community as Gay Men and
Lesbians
Chris Glaser. New York: Harper & Row, 1990.
Coming Out to God: Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, Their Families and
Friends
Chris Glaser. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press,
1991.
Coming Out Within: Stages of Spiritual Awakening for Lesbians and Gay
Men
Craig O'Neill and Kathleen Ritter. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.
Embracing the Exile: Healing Journeys of Gay Christians
John E.
Fortunato. New York: HarperCollins, 1982.
Equal Rites: Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies and Celebrations
Kittredge Cherry and Sherwood Zalmon, eds. Louisville, KY:
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.
Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality
Marvin M. Ellison.
Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1996.
Gay Theology Without Apology
Gary David Comstock. Cleveland, OH:
Pilgrim Press, 1993.
The Grace of Coming Home: Spirituality, Sexuality and the Struggle for
Justice
Melanie Morrison. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 1995.
Heterosexism: An Ethical Challenge
Patricia Beattie Jung and Ralph F.
Smith. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1993.
Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive Christian View
Letha
Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. Revised Edition. New York:
HarperCollins, 1994.
Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto
Robert Goss. New York:
HarperCollins, 1993.
Just as I Am: A Practical Guide to Being Out, Proud and Christian
Robert Williams. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.
Know My Name: A Gay Liberation Theology
Richard Cleaver. Louisville,
KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.
The Lambda Directory of Religion and Spirituality: Sources of Spiritual
Support for Gay Men and Lesbians. Brian Cranford. Dallas, TX: Pyramid
Press, 1994.
(Contact Brian/Pyramid Press at 13237 Montford, Suite 810,
Dallas, TX 75240.)
"Open Hands: Resources for Ministries Affirming the Diversity of Human
Sexuality."
Published quarterly; call 773/736-5526 for information.
Religion & Spirituality: A Checklist of Resources for Gay Men, Lesbians
and Bisexuals.
Revised 1996. Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Task Force,
American Library Association; contact the GLBTF Clearinghouse, c/o ALA
Office for Outreach Services, 60 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.
Sensuous Spirituality: Out From Fundamentalism Virginia Ramey
Mollenkott. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Daniel Helminiak. San
Francisco: Alamo Square Press, 1994.
The Word is Out: The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men
Chris
Glaser. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1994.
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The Holy Leper and the Bisexual Christian
Whose Bible is it Anyway?
Scripture and Spiritual Self Defense
