Key LGBT Resources for Christians

As illustrated in "Changes in Attitude" and "Retelling the Story" in the July 2012 issue of Sojourners, the conversation of Christianity and homosexuality is deepening beyond the culture wars. A number of valuable resources have emerged that appeal to a variety of audiences and viewpoints. While this is not an exhaustive list, below are a few books, resources, and blogs worth exploring.

• God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality, by Jay Michaelson. Tackling the debate on homosexuality from a Judeo-Christian perspective, this book argues that religious people should support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights—not despite their religion, but because of it. Beacon Press, 2011
   
• For the Bible Tells Me So, an award-winning documentary directed by Daniel Karslake, explores the limits of hate and love as five American families struggle to reconcile their Christian faith with the emergence of a gay family member. First Run Features, 2007.
   
• Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics, by Margaret Farley. A prominent Catholic ethicist, Sister Margaret Farley, discusses same-sex relationships, celibacy, and other sexual ethics in a quest to envision a more just society that honors the totality of human sexuality. Continuum Books, 2006
   
• Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community, by Andrew Marin. This prized book debunks popular misconceptions about homosexuality and opens space for dialogue between Christians and the LGBT community. InterVarsity Press, 2009
   
• Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches, edited by Walter Wink. In this timeless classic, more than a dozen church leaders reflect on the nature of homosexuality through biblical witness, personal testimony, and reason. Augsburg Fortress, 1999
   
• The Gay Christian Network is chock full of resources—including audio and video content, Bible studies, and a community message board—for LGBT Christians across the theological spectrum.
   
• Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality, by Wesley Hill. In this text, the author—a celibate gay Christian—shares thoughtful insights about discipleship and sanctification. Zondervan, 2010
   
• RachelHeldEvans.com is a blog that facilitates open dialogue between groups considered on the fringe of evangelical society, including gay Christians.
   
• “The Bible and Homosexuality: Why I Left College and Spent Two Years Finding Out What the Scriptures Really Say,” by Matthew Vines. Through this Huffington Post article and video, Vines explains why he took a break from Harvard to study the church’s teachings on homosexuality.
   
• A la Familia, by Miguel A. de la Torre with Ignacio Castuera and Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, is a bilingual guide to help Catholic and Protestant Latino families and congregations address issues of LGBT inclusion.
   
• The God Box, by Alex Sanchez. Suitable for adolescents and young adults, this fictional narrative portrays the journey of a Christian teenager who must come to terms with his own sexuality and spirituality while living in a conservative town. Simon & Schuster, 2010
   
• ToddAndrewClayton.com is a blog written by a gay evangelical Christian who engages readers through personal stories about faith and life, rather than opinion pieces.
   
• Church in Crisis: The Gay Controversy and the Anglican Community, by Oliver O’Donovan. Great for theologians and academics, this book offers a studious take on the question of homosexuality and faith. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2008