37: It’s Queer, Not “Same-Sex Attracted”

The language we use to define the queer experience matters, and “same-sex attraction” does not cut it. Bridget Eileen Rivera goes into the history of the words “homosexual” and “same sex attraction” and explains why we need the LGBTQ+ community to use its words to define their experience. This is an expansive conversation about language and also about Bridget’s experience as a lesbian Christian.

We talked to Bridget for over an hour and the uncut version of our conversation is available only for our partners.

Join the Ladies Night Book Club to start discussing Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Welcher on October 1. 

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Bridget Eileen Rivera is a writer, speaker, and educator completing her doctoral studies in sociology. She engages in public advocacy related to faith, gender, and sexuality, challenging the church to do better in its inclusion of LGBTQ people. Her first book, Heavy Burdens (Brazos Press, expected 2021), unpacks the legacy of LGBTQ discrimination in the church, helping Christians to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ people within Christianity and guiding readers to consider the tough questions necessary in charting a new path for the church. You can learn more about Bridget at bridgeteileenrivera.com or by following her on Twitter @TravelingNun.

Show Notes:

Gay or same-sex attracted?

Coming out: Why Jesus delights in LGBTQ stories

This is a list of books for you to consider

These resources are by people who identify as part of the queer community or as same-sex attracted. We highly recommend that in your search to understand the LGBTQ community better, you choose resources by people who are part of the community or by people who are able to personally identify with it rather than resources by people who are straight.

If you think there’s a resource that should be on this list, please send us an email wheredowegofromherepodast at gmail dot com.

God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee

Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America by Jeff Chu

Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms by Matthias Roberts (a guest on our show in May)

Is God Anti-Gay? : And Other Questions About Homosexuality, the Bible and Same-Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry

Born Again This Way: Coming out, coming to faith, and what comes next by Rachel Gilson

Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill