Listen in on a powerful conversation among four queer-identifying Jesus-followers, two who hold a more traditional understanding of sexuality and two who hold a more progressive understanding—all “members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph. 3:6).
They share how God has led them to understand their faith and their sexuality, identifying what has shaped their theology and beliefs around gender and sexuality, unpacking how their theology of suffering and their theology of joy inform and intersect with their theology of sexuality, and explore their vision for reconciliation in the church around sexuality and gender.
Meet our conversation partners:
Juan Pablo Herrera (he/him) is a second-generation immigrant who was born and raised in Chicago. He was the Afterschool Ambassador for Illinois, advocated for students in Washington D.C., and organized around education, gentrification, and immigration in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago. Juan Pablo is currently earning a Master’s in Public Ministry from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, looking at Queer Latin Liberation, and is the Church Planting Resident at Urban Village Church with plans on starting a Jesus-loving, inclusive community with a Latino expression. In the meantime, he pastors Cosmopolitan United Church, a Filipino congregation in Chicago. He is the proud parent of Gabriella (24), and Nathaniel (21).
Beth Carlson-Malena (she/her) lives with her wife, Danice, on unceded Coast Salish land, in what’s currently known as Vancouver, BC, Canada. Beth co-pastors a non-denominational church called Open Way that she and her friend Mark launched four and a half years ago. She has a great side gig as a wedding officiant, and spends the rest of her time bird watching, doing climate justice work, and reading/watching science fiction.
Elizabeth Delgado Black (she/her) has served as an evangelist and minister in New York City for almost 10 years. As the Co-Founder & President of Kaleidoscope USA, she provides LGBTQ+ people opportunities to engage with tangible expressions of Christ. Elizabeth loves sharing Jesus with those in the LGBTQ, Jewish, and African-American populations–and beyond. She is currently working on her Master of Theology in contextual theology at All Nations, a missions college in the United Kingdom. Elizabeth loves to cook, entertain, watch documentaries, and read about culture. Last but not least, she is a proud wife and the mother of two young boys.
Grant Hartley (he/him) is a freelance writer and speaker living near St. Louis. His work frequently explores the intersection of Christian faith and spirituality, sexuality, and culture. He helps to co-host the Life on Side B podcast, which facilitates conversations among Christian sexual and gender minorities, and hosts Milk and Honey: A Side B Podcast, which invites Side B folks to share treasures from their traditions and spiritual communities with the broader church. He is thoroughly addicted to coffee, thrift shops, and Twitter (you can follow him at @TheGrantHartley).
Registration (below) is $10 and will give you access to the recording of the conversation (which took place March 16, 2022). (If the fee presents a challenge for you financially, please contact Kristyn Komarnicki.)
Other webinars of interest:
- Gender, Jesus, and the Body of Christ: A Conversation with Christians who have transgender or intersex experiences ($10 fee)
- Gay Marriage in the Body of Christ: A conversation with two same-sex married couples who love Jesus (FREE)
- Christian, Queer and Celibate: A conversation with three Jesus followers who are living a vocation of celibacy
- Parenting Queer Kids: A conversation with Christian parents about the joys & challenges of raising and relating to their LGBTQ children
- Gender Exploration, Identity, and Expression in the Body of Christ
- Law, Religious Liberty & LGBTQ Lives in America: A conversation about recent federal nondiscrimination policy decisions and their real-world implications (FREE)
- Members of the Same Body: A conversation with theologically diverse LGB Christians
- Pastoral Care for Queer People (FREE)
