Queer Theology

We queer two powerful biblical texts—Isaiah 56 and Romans 11—to explore who gets to belong, what salvation means, and what Scripture has to say about immigrants and outsiders. We unpack the Bible’s repeated call to welcome and care for immigrants, challenge the ways anti-immigrant and white nationalist Christianity distort that message, and reflect on what it means to live out faith through activism, solidarity, organizing, and mutual aid. Together, we consider Paul’s vision of a community without insiders and outsiders and Isaiah’s declaration that God’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples. Rather than salvati...

In this episode, we look at Ruth 1:1–18 and the powerful, often-overlooked queerness of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship. Rather than reading the passage primarily as a lesbian love story, we consider how Ruth’s radical commitment to Naomi challenges traditional ideas about family, loyalty, and belonging. There is a celebration of chosen family and the freedom to build deep, lifelong commitments with people whether or not those relationships are romantic or sexual. and imagines a queer vision of community where friendship, co-parenting, shared homes, work, gardens, caregiving, and end-of-life companionship can all be forms of profound love. We also consid...

In this episode, we tackle the complicated question of when to stay, when to take a break, and when to leave a religious tradition. Our own journeys are very different, but there are definitely similarities. There was a point when we started questioning Christianity, stepping away from church, wrestling with doubt, and finding more expansive ways of understanding faith. Fr. Shay shares how coming to terms with his queerness, experiencing exclusion in evangelical spaces, and taking time away from church ultimately led him toward a deeper, more embodied Christian faith and ordained ministry. Brian reflects on his own gradual...

Brian was recently interviewed by Brent Saccucci (@brentsaccucci) from the University of Lethbridge to talk about Queer Theology and how it differs from affirmative ministry and we’re going to share that interview with y’all! In this interview, Brian challenges the idea that queer people need to justify their existence within faith traditions and explains the difference between affirmative faith and queer theology. Always at the heart of our work is our belief that we need to move beyond debating whether queerness is “okay” and instead ask what queer perspectives can reveal about God, Scripture, sacredness, and justice. Brian sh...

Because we’re the QueerTheology Podcast, of course we’re going to dive into Isaiah 1:10–18. This is a familiar and powerful passage. Just the words, “Sodom and Gomorrah” evoke a reaction because of their use in evangelical Christian religion. But we invite you to challenge common assumptions about their so-called “sin.” We explore how Isaiah shifts the focus away from ritual and religious performance and toward justice for the oppressed, care for the vulnerable, and accountability for those whose faith causes harm. We reflect on what it means to reclaim a progressive Christian witness in a culture where harmful expressions of...

This episode features a powerful conversation between Rev. Don Abram and Brian on reimagining care as an abundant resource rather than a scarce commodity. Don Abram (@towardpride) is a Chicago-based social innovator and founder of Toward Pride, leading work that advances the well-being of Black LGBTQ+ communities through partnerships with civic, cultural, and community institutions. Don shares how his Christian faith shapes a vision of both interpersonal and structural care, calling individuals and institutions alike to move beyond affirmation toward active advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities. Brian and Don discuss Toward Pride’s Institutional Church Continuum from ‘antagonizing’ to ‘advocating’ churches a...

In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on growing up in a high-control evangelical religion where every aspect of faith and how he was supposed to show up, was laid out for him. It was a long journey to untangle those deeply ingrained beliefs, but when we explore how harmful messages and unrealistic expectations can shape anyone’s spiritual life, not just those from high-control religious spaces, then we can see why taking ownership of our faith is so crucial. Rather than waiting for perfect circumstances, we should seek to embrace opportunities for healthy, life giving spiritual growth and discover a...

What do you do when you come across difficult passages in the Bible? In this episode, Fr. Shannon explores how to engage with challenging texts, especially those often used to condemn LGBTQ people, as well as passages that portray God as violent, or seem to support slavery, or take a negative view of sex and the body. While some see these verses as a reason to abandon the Bible altogether, Fr. Shannon offers a different perspective for those who want to remain rooted in the Christian tradition. He shares three practical ways to grapple with hard passages honestly, thoughtfully...

Fr. Shannon is joined by author Catherine Meeks on the pod this week to talk about self-interrogation, discernment, and what it means to move beyond being an ally toward becoming a committed co-resistor and fellow pilgrim in the work of collective liberation. Catherine Meeks, PhD, is the founder of the Turquoise & Lavender Institute for Transformation and Healing and a nationally recognized leader in racial healing and spiritual transformation. She is the author of “Bridging the Rivers of Difference” as well as “The Night Is Long but Light Comes in the Morning” and”The Quilted Life”. A regular contributing columnist for Baptist...

Brian is joined by his longtime friend, Michael R. Speciàle (@speciale.mr) on this pod this week for an interview that is funny, provocative, and moving. Michael is a writer, performer, and cultural strategist based in Los Angeles. He grew up between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, converted himself to the Mormon Church at fifteen, faithfully served a mission in Paraguay, and left the Church at twenty-three. Two decades later, that experience became the catalyst for “Bottoming for Jesus” which is his debut solo work. The conversation is an exploration of faith, sexuality, belonging, and the search for purpo...

In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on the grief and complexity of navigating a strained relationship with family after coming out. After a recent trip home, he shares the painful realization that no amount of patience or perfectly crafted theological arguments can change people who are unwilling to change. It’s ok to grieve the family relationships we hoped for while still honoring our own needs through healthy boundaries. AND recognizing that boundaries can be reassessed and reaffirmed over time. Most importantly, Fr. Shannon reminds us that Chosen Family and supportive community are essential lifelines. While this journey is me...

Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (@timothy.s.rodriguez) joins Brian on pod this week to discuss his debut memoir, “Conversion Therapy Dropout,”  and his journey through eight years of conversion therapy, evangelical megachurch culture, sobriety, and spiritual reconstruction. Tim spent almost a decade in gay conversion therapy- all while working behind the scenes at some of the most influential Evangelical Christian megachurches. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity, an organization that helps queer people find affirming faith communities. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home, where...

In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on how we can reconnect with spiritual practices after being hurt by faith communities or religious experiences. Following a personal experience that left him with hurt feelings (see episode 642!), he realized the importance of intentionally creating space for meaningful spiritual rituals. Fr. Shannon explores how many queer people, after stepping away from faith because of harm, often find themselves missing the sense of ritual, connection, and meaning those practices once provided. Rather than returning to traditions that caused pain, he offers thoughtful and practical ideas for building new, life-giving spiritual practices. Whether you...

We’re so excited to welcome comedian, author, and internet storyteller Kevin James Thornton (@kevinjamesthornton) to the Podcast this week to talk about his new memoir, Big Gay Baby: On Beginnings, Endings, and Being Unapologetically Yourself. Kevin reflects on the accidental TikTok videos that connected thousands of people through shared experiences of growing up in fundamentalist Christianity, the role humor plays in surviving and healing religious trauma, and the long, messy process of discovering who he is beyond the expectations of church and family. We explore queer identity, faith, heartbreak, creativity, community, and the surprising freedom that can come fr...

On this week’s episode, Fr. Shannon responds to listener questions that touch on some of the core themes of his (and Brian’s!) work and ministry. He explores what Jesus meant by the “narrow path,” reframing it not as a difficult and exclusionary road toward a distant heavenly reward, but as the daily work of building community, loving our neighbors, and helping bring about the kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. He also answers a questions about the idea of false prophets and the ways fear-based religion can disconnect us from our own bodies, intuition, and sense of The Divi...

Brian is joined by long-time friend, Jason Tseng (they/them), @queeriously on the pod this week for a joyful and inspiring conversation about queer spirituality, storytelling, and moving through the world as a queer Christian. Jason, a queer, non-binary Chinese-American playwright based in New York City, talks about the different stories from their life that led to writing plays, including Fear and Wonder. They talk about how their gayness transformed and informed their understanding of the sacred. Brian and Jason discuss how important it is to reclaim queer spirituality by paying attention to what actually feels sacred in our...

This week we queer one of our favorite passages, Micah 6:1–8, and explore one of the Bible’s clearest calls to justice: “do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” It often feels like messages of the prophets continue to resonate so deeply today, especially in a world where faith is often reduced to rule-following and anxiety-inducing checklists. We unpack how this passage recenters us on what truly matters: not perfection, but practicing justice, mercy, and humility in the everyday moments of our lives. There is so much richness beneath this seemingly simple message that calls to the larg...

In this episode, Father Shannon shares a deeply personal and recent story about being denied Communion by a Catholic priest despite identifying as Catholic himself and serving as an ordained priest in the Old Catholic tradition. Reflecting on the pain and rejection that surfaced in this encounter, Fr. Shannon explores how bad theology hurts people. He also reflects on how healing is never linear, and even if you have done the work to heal old wounds, they can still open up again. There is so much institutional rejection in Christian spaces but it’s important to remember that no pr...

We queer two chapters in this week’s episode and explore God’s expansive vision of belonging and justice that is the throughline between them. Both passages challenge insider/outsider binaries and emphasize that God’s covenant community is open to all. Especially, in these passages, immigrants and those historically excluded. They also call people into active participation in justice, mercy, and communal care. And this tension is pertinent today as we witness modern anti-immigrant rhetoric often justified by Christianity. arguing that such views contradict the text’s clear ethic of inclusion. Salvation does not need to be seen as a dis...

In this episode, we explore the idea that everyone needs a village or that everyone wants to build community. The thing is, when it comes to actually being the Villager.. no one wants to put in the effort. Or they think it needs to be a big effort. Or cost alot. Or look perfect. But that is not the case! Building meaningful community in a world that often prioritizes convenience and individuality can be tough. The truth is that not everyone in your community has to be your best friend to still show up and care. Even if there...

In this week’s episode we queer Mark 10:17–31 and look at some of Jesus’ most challenging teachings. The ones that really make you think about how difficult it would be to let go of wealth, privilege, and certainty in order to follow a more expansive, justice-centered vision of love. There is often a tendency to explain away hard passages about money while taking other scriptures literally. But is that what was intended in this passage? We also explore complicated ideas about eternal life, moving beyond rigid, afterlife-focused theology to consider how “eternal life” might be experienced here and now- in moments...

Fr. Shannon brings us this week’s episode and it is the first in a series on the books of Colossians. In this first episode on book 1 of Colossians, he invites us into the deeply human world of letter writing and explores how this ancient text started as a letter to a real community navigating complex questions of identity, faith, and belonging. What does it mean to be “in Christ” while also rooted in a particular place, culture, and political reality? This is a question we can still resonate with and can set the stage for honest, thoughtful wrestling with t...

It’s Easter Sunday, so we dive into the messy, complicated, and deeply meaningful questions surrounding resurrection, belief, and what it all means in the world today. We explore the literal vs. metaphorical resurrection of Jesus and broader questions about God, suffering, and the reconciliation of all things. There is an element in the Easter resurrection story that rather than offering neat answers, embraces the tension of faith that doesn’t always fit into tidy boxes. Wrestling with doubt, grief, activism, and hope in a world marked by injustice and uncertainty can feel so difficult. But the invitation of the...

Brian shares part of his interview with Jonah Wheeler on the podcast this week. Together they explore the complex intersections of sex, spirituality, and personal history, unpacking how formative experiences, particularly around desire, power, and validation, shape the ways we show up in intimate encounters. Jonah shares  an experience from his early 20s that becomes a lens for examining “daddy issues,” internalized religious frameworks, and the search for divine approval through sex. He muses how these revealing moments of vulnerability and surrender can mirror spiritual longing while also exposing the ways we project meaning onto our partners. The conversation trace...

This week, Fr. Shannon sits down with Samantha Boucher, (@sceboucher) a trans activist and political organizer with deep roots in Appalachia, to explore how growing up in a rural, conservative community shaped her approach to justice, belonging, and advocacy. Samantha shares her journey from disaster response and intelligence work into national politics, becoming the first openly trans federal campaign manager, and now leading efforts to advance trans rights through heartland-focused organizing. They dive into the cultural divide between urban and rural America, the importance of messaging that resonates across moral frameworks, and why building relationships in faith communities and...

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...

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 g...

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 Tran...

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 wi...

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

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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 ju...

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 abou...

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...

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...

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...

We’re excited to welcome @angelajherrington back to the podcast to talk about her new book and overcoming Christian patriarchy. For over a decade, Angela has helped women break free from the grip of Christian patriarchy and reconnect with the wisdom they were taught to silence. She is a trauma-informed coach, strategist, and author, who has walked alongside thousands through deconstruction, spiritual burnout, and the messy, beautiful work of building a life that feels whole and true. Her work brings together spiritual insight, nervous system awareness, and grounded practices that create lasting change. In this episode, Fr. Shay talks wi...

It’s a New Year and in this first episode of 2026, we reflect on highlights from 2025. From book releases and big life transitions, to moves, new jobs, and shifting rhythms. What has kept us grounded has been our approach to goals and intentions that have evolved as needed. It’s why we keep saying rituals and intentions are important, y’all! Going into this year we feel that community matters more than ever. We also feel that it’s important to build more meaningful lives and one of the ways to start doing that is by naming our longings and goal...

In this episode, we respond to a listener question about how to challenge harmful uses of the Hebrew Scriptures without falling into anti-Semitism or Christian supersessionism. As Christians, we can’t rely on the New Testament to “fix” or dismiss the Old Testament and we unpack common misunderstandings about Judaism and the Hebrew Bible. We also queer the Ten Commandments by reading this foundational text through lenses of justice, liberation, and community rather than control or exclusion. Despite how we have been taught, the commandments can function as a framework for loving God and loving our neighbor. That doesn’t mean w...

This week, we respond to a thoughtful listener question from Tumblr about whether progressive Christians can understand the Bible as uniquely authoritative, or whether it should be treated as inspired work alongside other great works of literature and poetry. We look at how different Christian traditions approach scripture, why “authority” depends on community and context, and how revelation can be understood without requiring inerrancy or literalism. We have to have a more nuanced engagement with scripture that challenges false dichotomies between taking the Bible seriously and reading it critically. In the second half of the episode, we queer Psalm 119:105-112...

As we come to the beginning of Hanukkah, Brian invites us to reimagine the Festival of Lights as a celebration of resistance, resilience, and the sacred spark within every queer body. When queering Hanukkah, we can explore how the Hanukkah story itself is rooted in defiance against erasure, and how its rituals can be reclaimed as affirming practices that honor queer joy, creativity, and survival.

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