Posts Tagged ‘Gender’
International Non-Binary People’s Day 2020
July 14th is International Non-Binary People’s Day! We believe that in order to treat all human beings with dignity, we need to constantly learn and expand our understanding of the world in all its diversity. At Believe Out Loud, we are committed to challenging ourselves and our audience to see and embrace all of our…
Read MoreWondrous Confusion: How My Gender Shimmers In The Fluidity Of Being Bi
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). It’s easy for me to sympathize with people who express confusion when I share with them that I am bisexual. My sexual orientation confused me for decades and continues to do so occasionally, even now. Like many, I thought the question I was answering for myself was,…
Read MoreHow To Be A Trans* Ally
My feelings about “allies” to the transgender community are complicated. Sometimes this “ally” concept seems really powerful to me, and other times, it just seems like another shallow label. Sometimes the way we talk about “allies” feels insightful and important. Sometimes our language feels rigid and inadequate. In transgender communities, allies are very important—hugely important.…
Read MoreDevotion Through Dysphoria
Back in the middle school years, I used to worry that I didn’t look or act like everyone else. I spent a ton of time in front of the mirror trying to learn to change my face with makeup, and even though my personality didn’t suit it, I spent lots of my parent’s money on…
Read MoreUncovering Pride: Exposing The Shadow Of My Shame
By the time I was 10 years old, I knew there was something wrong with me. I had no idea what it was exactly, but it was there. Perhaps because I felt defective, I had a strong inclination to hide, cover up, and use deliberate caution in any situation. Even though I liked to be…
Read MoreCreating Sacred Spaces For Trans & Gender Nonconforming People
Rev. Mykal Slack, recently featured on Believe Out Loud, is a trans-identified clergy person who describes himself as a “Bridge Builder, Worship Leader and Diversity Trainer.” I sat down with Rev. Slack for some tea in Boston where he serves as a Residency Manager in order to glean his insights on creating radically welcoming spaces for trans and…
Read MoreTrans Clergy Building Bridges In Multicultural Ministry
As a child, I was taken to my grandmother’s Baptist church in South Georgia every Christmas and Easter. While I am thankful for those experiences with her and have come to understand just how deeply and beautifully her faith has impacted me, I didn’t feel particularly connected to the church at that time. It wasn’t…
Read MoreQueering The Pulpit: Exploring Gender & Sexuality In Ministry
Each Sunday, clad in a bright red robe, I step into the pulpit. Before I even utter a word, my body preaches on my behalf. My gendered, queer, dancing, disordered body proclaims the Word before I ever open my mouth. There are Sundays when a congregant might ask me, “Why do you always talk about…
Read More