Queering the Church towards a reality based theology

Alison, James

Alison is a former Dominican priest, now practicing as an independent theologian and writer with an excellent reputation. Among his many books are three of particular importance for LGBT readers.  For an appreciation of Alison’s work, see    

Faith Beyond Resentment
fragments catholic and gay
Darton Longman Todd, 2001
239 pages

(Catholic,  Theology, Gay Male)

Strongly Recommended.

The first in the series, this is valuable for the telling of parts of his own story, as well as reflections on dealing with the appropraite relationship of LGBT Catholics with the institutional church, and with God.

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On Being Liked
Darton Longman Todd, 2003
168 pages

(Sexuality, Theology, Gay Males

Strongly Recommended

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Undergoing God
Darton Longman Todd, 2003
168 pages

Catholic, Theology, Gay Male

Strongly Recommended

Boisvert, Donald:

“Boisvert is a professor of religion at Concordia University in Montreal. He was in the seminary as a young man with the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, then went on to earn a doctorate in religious studies as a layman.” (Toby Johnson)

Sanctity and Male Desire :
A Gay Reading of Saints

 

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(Catholic, Saints, Gay Male)

Recommended.

Out on Holy Ground
(Pilgrim Press, 2001)

148 pages

Catholic, Gay, Spirituality

Recommended.

Cleaver, Richard

Know My Name
A Gay Liberation Theology
(Westminster John Knox Press, 1995)

161 pages

Catholic, Theology, Queer Theology, Scripture, Lesbian & Gay

Recommended

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Chellew-Hodge, Candace

Bullet Proof Faith
A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay & Lesbian Christians

192 pages

Christian, Spirituality, Scripture, Lesbian and Gay

I have no personal knowledge of this book, but I love the title.  An endorsement by Bishop Tutu also helps to influence this South African.

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Cotter, Jim

Pleasure, Pain and Passion
Some Perspectives on Sexuality and Spirituality

Cairns Publications, 1988, 1993

(Sexuality,  Spirituality)

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Countryman, William D.

Gifted by Otherness: Gay and Lesbian Christians in the Church

Glaser, Chris:

Coming out to God:
Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men
(John Knox Press, 1991)

168 pages

Christian, Spirituality, Prayer, Lesbian & Gay

Recommended by Dignity USA

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Goss, Robert

Hanvey, John Michael:

Helminiak,Daniel

Sex and the Sacred
Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth
(Harrington Park Press, 2006)

235 pages

Christian, Spirituality, LGBT

Strongly recommended

A valuable examination of how we can use spiritual growth, and examination of our own personal experience, to learn more about our sexuality and its relationship with God.

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Johnson, Toby

Gay Spirituality: Gay Identity and the Transformation of Human Consciousness

In this Lambda Literary award-winning title, author Toby Johnson explores how the rise of gay identity has become an important part of contemporary religious development. This dramatic transformation has resulted due to the perspective of gay men; their ability to step outside the assumptions and conventions of culture and see things from a different point of view. This book will reward readers seeking new insight into faith as well as culture, myth and traditions.

 

 

Gay Perspective: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us About the Nature of God and the Universe

In this companion volume to his critically acclaimed, Lambda Literary Award-winning book Gay Spirituality, Toby Johnson further explicates his visionary stance that gay men’s nature as outsiders gives them a uniquely powerful perspective on the nature of God and religion. By living outside gender norms, gay people are more open to seeing across boundaries of gender and gain access to a less dualistic outlook on the nature of life. Once again, Johnson approaches this potentially controversial subject matter with erudition, empathy and visionary speculation and gives meaning to gay consciousness beyond superficial issues of sexual behavior.

Charmed Lives: Gay Spirit in Storytelling 

Storytelling can be a way of spinning straw into gold, of showing ourselves we have drawn a long straw in this life. Charmed Lives offers readers a collection of over thirty short works of fiction and personal essays as an alternative to the stories that society often tells about gay men. Some are whimsical with a touch of enchantment, some profoundly spiritual, others romantic–all offer insight into modern gay life that will inspire and shed light on the grace of being gay with tales of hope against adversity and love over loneliness.

Kelly, Michael B.

Seduced by Grace: Contemporary spirituality, Gay experience and Christian faith

 

 

 

 

 

L’Empereur, James

Spiritual Direction and the Gay Person

Original and much needed, and neither prescriptive nor advocating any particular position on civil rights or a particular denomination or faith group, ‘Spiritual Direction and the Gay Person’ will assist homosexuals in relationships, prayer, liturgy, and in the problems produced by their commitment to or rejection of institutional religion.

McNeill, John

John McNeill was a Jesuit Priest who was silenced by the Vatican after his first book, “The Church and the Homosexual”, was published with the approval of the Jesuit order.  After refraining from publication for several years, McNeill eventually left the priesthood to pursue a career as an independent theologian , spiritual director, writer and psychotherapist.  For some impressive testimonials to his contribution to queer theology and LGBT mental health, see the collection of essaysforming the second half of his latest book, “Sex as God Intended”.

Freedom, Glorious Freedom
(Beacon Press, 1995)

Listed by Martin Pendergast

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Taking a Chance on God
Liberating Theology for Gays, Lesbians and their Lovers, Families and Friends
Beacon Press, 1988, 1996 (Scripture, Theology, Sexuality)

Strongly recommended by QTC;
Listed by Martin Pendergast

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O’Brien, Glen:

Praying from the Margins: Gospel Reflections of a gay Man
(The Columbia Press, Dublin. 2001)

Listed by Martin Pendergast

Ramer, Andrew

Two Flutes Playing: A Spiritual Journeybook for Gay Men (White Crane Spirituality)

“We had many saints, many heroes, both female and male, but I want to speak here of the saints and heroes of the gay tribes. For this is a period of human history that has been lost through time, whose return is vitally needed. For you know the heroes of the other tribes. But of this small, sacred tribe, whose history has been obscured, you remember nothing.” So tells acclaimed author Andrew Ramer in Two Flutes Playing. Within these pages can be found insight and wisdom. Ramer serves as a mythologist for gay men, providing evidence to the harmony of gender, love and sex. A new introduction by the author reveals why this book’s timeless message has once more returned to print as the inaugural title in the White Crane Spirituality Series.

Schinnick, Maurice:

This Remarkable Gift: Being Gay and Catholic
(Allen & Unwin, 1998)

Listed by Martin Pendergast

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Scroggs, Robin:

The New Testament and Homosexuality
(Augsburg Fortress, 1984)

Recommended by Dignity USA

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Smith, Richard:

Aids, Gays and the American Catholic Church
The Pilgrim Press, 1994

Listed by Martin Pendergast

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Storey, William:

A Book of Prayer for Gay & Lesbian  Christians
(Crossroads, 2002 )

Listed by Martin Pendergast

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Stuart, Elisabeth:

Stuart is a professor of theology at King Alfred’s College, Winchester, and one of the most prominent theologians in the field of gay and lesbian theology.

Daring to Speak Love’s Name - A Gay and Lebian Prayer Book
Hamish Hamilton, 1992

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