What I didn’t understand about lesbians When I first came out in the ’90s, gay male spaces entirely shaped my world. I was a serious party boy at nightclubs and dance parties. That’s where I found connection and a sense of belonging. But I often
James Dobson, the late founder of Focus on the Family and an adviser to five U.S. presidents, became one of the most influential evangelical leaders in the United States from the late 20th century onward. Through his 70-plus books, radio broadcasts and political lobbying, he
In what can only be described as a heartbreaking — but sadly not surprising — moment in Australian church history, Canberra Baptist Church and Hamilton Baptist Church have been officially expelled from the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Baptist Association. Their “offence”? Daring to fully welcome and
An LGBTQ+ survival guide In a world spiraling into chaos, protecting your mental health has never been more crucial. As we face relentless battles, prioritizing our well-being is the key to surviving the storm. This survival guide offers powerful strategies to help you stay grounded,
Note: This is the text of a letter sent by the author to the Parliament of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, Australia, in support of a bill banning sexual orientation / gender identity change efforts (SOCE/GICE). The state’s Premier, Chris Minns, has voiced his
LGBTQ+ welcoming, accepting, affirming. What’s the difference? People often ask me what the difference is between welcoming, accepting and affirming churches. This little infograph will give you some idea. Some churches refuse to go on the journey. Some began the journey, then got stuck, afraid
Anthony: Hi I’m Anthony and I’m gay. Church leader: Hi, I’m Joel. Why do you have to say you’re gay? I don’t feel the need to announce I’m heterosexual. Anthony: Well I was thinking of coming to your church and I know that churches like
A personal paradigm shift Walking home alone, after speaking at my first gay rights rally in 2005, I couldn’t understand why I felt so empty and deflated. It wasn’t that I didn’t have the skills to communicate with a crowd. As a high-profile preacher in
Occasionally a seminal work appears that becomes a defining piece, a turning point, or a breakthrough in a particular area. Considering the religious LGBTQ+ conversion movement, the documentary “Pray Away,” released today on Netflix, could very well be that work. After mental health professional organizations
A recent study, “A Longitudinal Study of Attempted Religiously Mediated Sexual Orientation Change,” published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, has been hailed by conservative U.S. Christians in publications and websites as a breakthrough. A Christian political group in Australia, the Salt Shakers,