Religion & Faith Recommended Reading List
Fortunate Families: Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Mary Ellen Lopata with Casey Lopata, Trafford Publishing, 2006
Fortunate Families addresses the experience of Catholic parents. The book had its genesis in a descriptive survey of over 200 such parents. It integrates results from the survey, church documents and stories.
The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity
Eric Elnes, Christian Living, 2006
This text explores the 12 central affirmative principles of Christian faith built around the biblical emphasis on the love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church
Jack Rogers, Westminster John Knox Press, 2006.
This book is hot off the presses and has already garnered a great deal of well-deserved attention. It charts the change of heart of a Presbyterian minister who moved from open hostility to becoming an advocate for LGBT equality. Please check out Deb Price’s review of this book.
Homosexuality: A Positive Catholic Perspective
New Ways Ministry, 2005
In "catechism format," the booklet includes the topics on pastoral ministry, sexual ethics, civil rights, myths and stereotypes, mental health, parental concerns, adolescent worries and the Bible. Includes extensive bibliography. More information available from the New Ways Ministry.
Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak
Beacon Press, Boston, 2005
Presents American Muslim women writing from diverse experiences and perspectives, speak out about the hijab (a traditional headscarf), relationships, sex and sexuality, activism, spirituality, and more. Khalida Saed wrote a powerful piece on claiming a Muslim and lesbian identity entitled On the Edge of Belonging [posted with permission of Beacon Press, Boston].
Living the Welcoming Congregation: Resources for Continuing the Welcoming Congregation Journey
Keith Kron and Barb Greve, Unitarian Universalist Association, 2005
The Living the Welcoming Congregation curriculum was created to be adaptable and re-useable in order to fit the needs and personality of individual congregations. The UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns has always operated on these premises: We know something about oppression. The congregation understands itself best. These two can be combined into a good fit.
View the Curriculum
What God Has Joined Together? A Christian Case for Gay Marriage
David G. Myers and Letha Dawson Scanzoni, HarpersCollins, 2005
This text presents a thoughtful and persuasive Christian argument for Gay Marriage. Through a careful reading of the Bible and an analysis of scientific research about the social value of marriage, the authors make a strong case for the inherent value of marriage when made open to all people, not just heterosexuals.
Where the Edge Gathers: Building a Community of Radical Inclusion
Yvette A. Flunder, The Pilgrim Press, 2005
Bishop Flunder was the keynote speaker at a 2005 town hall in Washington, D.C., "Faith and Fairness: Finding Strength and Tools for Advocacy in your Faith Tradition." She is an amazing and inspiring preacher who has written an equally amazing book about ministering to the most marginalized in our communities. Her book speaks of a vision of Christianity that embraces the culturally marginalized as people of God. As she writes, "True Community . . . true Church comes when marginalized people take back the right to fully 'be.' A people must be encouraged to celebrate not in spite of who they are, but because of whom their Creator has made them."
Listening for the Oboe
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, CBST: Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, 2005
A a compilation of Kleinbaum’s and the CBST congregation’s favorite sermons given by her between 1992 and 2003. In these moving sermons, she addresses a variety of issues of interest to the GLBT community, including the impact of AIDS on the gay community in the early 1990s and the place of children in an GLBT synagogue.
When Deborah Met Jael: Lesbian Biblical Hermeneutics
Deryn Guest, SCM Press, 2005
This book explores ways to begin to think about a lesbian-identified reading of Scripture. In it, Guest evaluates strategies that have been used to date by lesbians reading Scripture, identifying those strategies that are most likely to empower contemporary lesbians in a variety of social contexts. Throughout, she engages closely with relevant biblical texts to demonstrate how these strategies can be applied.
Dancing with God: Anglican Christianity and the Practice of Hope
Jay Johnson, Morehouse Publishing, 2005
Dancing with God uses the metaphor of dance to help readers approach the discipline of theology as something we all do, and not only something to believe. This is a deeply affirming book that sees the practice of hope in the ways that we “do” theology. Johnson is the Programming and Development Director for the Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies at Pacific School of Religion.
Practicing Safer Texts: Food, Sex and the Bible in Queer Perspective
Ken Stone, T&T Clark International, 2005
This book uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine a number of texts from the Hebrew bible in which both food and sex appear. Stone’s work questions reader’s tendencies to overstress sexual matters in comparison to other matters of ethical, theological and cultural concern.
And God Loves Each One
Ann Thompson Cook, Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Washington, DC, 2004
A dialogue about sexual orientation in churches and communities. The book aims to bring gay and straight people together united by their faith.
Made in God's Image
Ann Thompson Cook, Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Washington, DC, 2004
A resource for dialogue about people of faith and gender differences. Combines information, personal sharing, and resources to serve as a starting place for any congregation, family, or individual seeking to better understand transgender issues.
Same-Sex Marriage?: A Christian Ethical Analysis
Marvin M. Ellison, The Pilgrim Press, 2004
This important book offers important contextual arguments for a revitalized Christian sexual ethic important that is pivotal to the debate on same-sex marriage.
The Man Jesus Loved: Homoerotic Narratives from the New Testament
Theodore W. Jennings, Jr., Pilgrim Press, 2003
This book offers a gay affirmative reading of the biblical text and suggests that by excluding people from churches on the basis of their orientation goes against the Bible and the traditions concerning Jesus.
Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism
Omid Safi, Oneworld Publications Ltd., 2003
A collection of articles from prominent Muslim thinkers offer an reassessment of Islam's relationship with the modern world. This book reveals the real challenges faced by Muslims of both sexes in contemporary Western societyon issues such as racism, justice, sexuality and gender.
The Gay Face of God
Bruce J. Simpson, Third Millennium Publishing, 2002
This autobiography is an important exploration of the experiences of a gay man growing up in the 1950s and 1960s whose experiences ranged from military service to ordination and consecration within the Catholic Church in America. In addition, it is also an important theological insight on Catholicism and LGBT people at this historic moment.
Queer Commentary and the Hebrew Bible
Ken Stone, Ed., The Pilgrim Press, 2001
This is a groundbreaking collection that explores how ‘queer’ reading makes a difference to biblical exegesis. The essays include a fascinating response, “(Cor)Responding: A Letter to the Editor” by editorial advisory member, Tat-Siong Benny Liew.
Blessed Bi Spirit: Bisexual People of Faith
Debra R. Kolodny, Continuum, 2000
A collection of 31 essays written by bisexual people of faith. Authors speak about ritual, community, theology, their personal journeys into wholeness and the intersections of their sexual orientation and their faith practice.
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Daniel A. Helminiak, Alamo Square Press, 2000
This book examines research into those Biblical texts that have been considered to relate to homosexuality and finds that there is no real basis for the condemnation of homosexuality.
Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches
Walter Wink, ed., Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1999
This volume presents a powerful collection of essays from highly respected religious leaders across the wide range of Christian denominations. In very accessible and moving language the authors argue for the inclusiveness of God's love and ask readers to embrace a faith that is open to all people. Contributors include Elise Boulding, Richard Rohr, and James A. Forbes.
Openly Gay, Openly Christian: How the Bible Really is Gay Friendly
The Rev. Samuel Kader, Leyland Publications, 1999
In this book Scripture is extensively studied, using evangelical tools such as Strong's Concordance, to show that the Bible is gay friendly. Scriptural and anecdotal evidence is given to support the facts given.
The Word is Out: Daily Reflections on the Bible for Lesbians and Gay Men
Chris Glaser, Westminster John Knox Press, 1999
A collection of 365 meditations challenging fundamentalist misconceptions of the Bible's stance on homosexuality and offering inspiration to lesbian and gay Christians.
Queer Dharma: Voices of Gay Buddhists
Winston Leyland (Ed.), Gay Sunshine Press, 1998
This text shows how many gay men who practice Buddhism in this country have managed to find a spirituality that can counter the homophobia.
Our Families, Our Values: Snapshots of Queer Kinship
Amy Strongheart, Robert Gross (Eds.), Haworth, 1997
This book will inform you as well as remind you that same-sex unions bring much cause for celebration and that religion and homosexuality are not mutually exclusive.
The Good Book: Reading the Bible With Mind and Heart
Peter J. Gomes, Morrow/Avon, 1996
Mr. Gomes offers a tolerant interpretation of the Christian faith which rests heavily on his contention that the moral principles of the Bible are far more important than the social practices to be found in it.
Is The Homosexual My Neighbor?: Another Christian View
Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Harper & Row Publishers, 1996
A book on gay spirituality reflecting current issues including gays in the military, the AIDS crisis and genetic research on homosexuality (revised edition).
Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays, Lesbians and their Lovers, Families and Friends
John J. McNeill, Beacon Press, 1996
The author draws on the insights of the gay and lesbian liberation movement, his counseling experience with lesbian and gay people, and a variety of faith traditions to establish a foundation of a positive gay identity within the context of Christian faith.
Freedom Glorious Freedom
John J. McNeill, Beacon Press, 1996
A Jesuit who was expelled from the Society of Jesus in 1987 for his views on homosexuals, the celebrated author completes his visionary trilogy of books on the saving power of God for gay men and lesbians with a focus on the freedom that gay men and lesbians can find by connecting with the spirit of God.
Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America
The Rev. Mel White, Plume, 1995
Outlines 25 years of one man's persecution and attempted "rehabilitation" by his Christian Church due to their conviction that something was seriously wrong with his homosexuality.
The Church and the Homosexual
John J. McNeill, Beacon Press, 1993
Father McNeill's book convincingly establishes that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality and has brought comfort to thousands of gay and lesbian Christians since its original publication in 1976. In this 4th edition, the author calls on the Vatican to make a public act of repentance for its homophobia.
Don't Be Afraid Anymore
The Rev. Troy D. Perry with Thomas L.P. Swicegood, St. Martin's Press Inc., 1992
This is the story of a man and a church he founded because he and others were rejected by Christian churches, due to their homosexuality.
Twice Blessed: On Being Lesbian, Gay and Jewish
Christie Balka and Andy Rose, Beacon Press, 1989
A collection essays addressing issues including: growing up in a yeshiva, finding a new Judaism-based theology of gay sexuality, and searching for Jewish gay role models and Jewish marital commitment ceremonies.
New Testament and Homosexuality, The: Contextual Background and Contemporary Debate
Robin Scroggs, Fortress Press, 1983
A book that reviews the basic principles of biblical interpretation and applies those principles to the verses that seem to address homosexuality.
