About Whosoever
Every time I open Whosoever I am amazed at the quality and quantity of work that goes into this magazine for GLBT Christians, their friends and families. I am especially grateful for the information Whosoever provides for that closeted Christian who after being rejected by his or her church and family has nowhere to go but the Internet to find someone who understands. (Soulforce Founder Rev. Mel White)
Whosoever was founded as a print magazine in 1996 to serve as a voice and a resource for LGBTQ+ Christians, who enjoyed little (if any) support — not just on the internet, but also in print. Back then, Christian magazines such as Christianity Today and Moody’s regularly took potshots at LGBTQ+ people.
After publishing four print editions under founding Editor Candace Chellew, who had more than 20 years’ experience in the media, Whosoever moved online for good. At its peak, Whosoever.org received more than 500,000 web hits (remember those?) a year and branched out to include a podcast and community message boards — and many readers wrote to say how it had either changed or literally saved their lives.
For its first 18 years, Whosoever‘s mission was to stay on the cutting edge of the LGBTQ+ movement for acceptance in both church and society. In the meantime, Candace earned her Master of Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2002, and in 2003 she was ordained by Gentle Spirit Christian Church of Atlanta and went on to serve in ministry. In 2008 she published Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians, of which Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said:
In Bulletproof Faith, Candace Chellew-Hodge reassures gays and lesbians that God loves them just as they were created and teaches them how to stand strong, with compassion and gentleness, against those who condemn them.
In 2019 Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor of Gentle Spirit Christian Church, answered the call to serve Whosoever in the role of Editor-in-Chief under the guidance of Candace in the role of Editor Emeritus. Together they’ve broadened Whosoever’s mission to be about reaching all those who seek a deeper understanding of the truly loving God, whose unconditional love is experienced as boundless grace.
Whosoever welcomes contributions per our Submission Guidelines.
Early press coverage
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 17, 1998
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 9, 1997
Bay Windows, December 19, 1996
Whosoever Press Release, 1996
Articles about/featuring Rev. Candace Chellew
The Advocate, March 28, 2006
Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier, October 3, 2004
Q-Notes (N.C.), June 19, 2004
The State (Columbia, S.C.), June 13, 2004
Articles by Rev. Candace Chellew
Q-Notes (N.C.), November 5, 2005
The State (Columbia, SC), April 30, 2005
Identity Magazine, August 20, 2004
Southern Voice, October 22, 1998
Radio appearances by Rev. Candace Chellew
On “The Other Side” on XM Satellite Radio, May 2003 (Part 1)
On “The Other Side” on XM Satellite Radio, May 2003 (Part 2)
On “The Seed Show” on WCEO Radio (Columbia, S.C.), July 8, 2004
Covers of Whosoever‘s print editions