The Resource Library resources for advocacy and transformation

“There must exist a paradigm, a practical model for social change that includes an understanding of ways to transform consciousness that are linked to efforts to transform structures.”

bell hooks, Killing Rage, Ending Racism

Five New Things

Each week we present five newly discovered items for our resource pages. Each resource should be vetted for suitability to specific needs prior to using it.

1. Proper Pronouns, a film by Meg Daniels & Manie Robinson, “chronicles the emotional journey that four transgender ministers (Liam Hooper · Dawn Flynn · Mykal Shannon · Debra Hopkins) and their spouses are taking as they try to redefine their identities and prove to the Southern community that they belong in the pulpit.”
   
   “The viewer comes away with the sense that there is true joy in living one’s truth gender-wise, and that runs side-by-side with living one’s truth in faith. And any struggles that may come alongside all of that are secondary, so long as we can love and be loved. As bisexual sci-fi erotica author Chuck Tingle likes to say, this is a movie that proves love is real. And pounds you in the heart.” says Films Gone Wild on a review on the documentary website. Proper Pronouns trailer from Megan Q. Daniels on Vimeo. (2018)

2. Towards a Theology of Same-Sex Marriage: Squaring the Circle by Clare Herbert “explores the concept of same-sex marriage in relation to the heteronormative definition of marriage, and its effect on past understandings of the sacrament. Interweaving stories from Christians struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexuality alongside wider queer theology and the theology of marriage, Herbert explores the unique understanding of God provided by the experience of committed same-sex love , and lays the groundwork for redefining the traditional definition of marriage.” Marriage is now legal for all couples in the United States, but there is still debate about the theological support for same-gender-loving marriages in the church, and this book offers a deep and engaged discussion of why God intended the covenant of marriage everyone. (December 21, 2020)

3. Christian Mysticism’s Queer Flame by Michael Bernard Kelly asks “Is the Christian mystical tradition a relic of another time, shaped by celibates for celibates, unable to engage meaningfully with people of our time who embrace their corporeality and sexuality as crucial aspects of their journey towards union with God? This book reflects in serious theological depth and detail on the spiritual and sexual journeys of gay men of mature and committed Christian faith, employing the Christian mystical tradition as the lens and the interlocutor in this process.” (June 30, 2020)

4. Queer Religiosities: An Introduction to Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion by Melissa M. Wilcox presents a study that “…helps readers to understand the details and complexities of religions, genders, and sexualities as they are lived out around the world. Additional resources include study questions, discussion questions, suggestions for further reading, a glossary, an annotated filmography, and a selected bibliography to encourage further study.” (February 17, 2020)

5. New Fiction for Teens: Wain: LGBT reimaginings of Scottish folktales by Rachel Plummer and Helene Boppert. “Wain is a collection of LGBT themed poetry for teens based on retellings of Scottish myths. The collection contains stories about kelpies, selkies, and the Loch Ness Monster, alongside perhaps lesser-known mythical people and creatures, such as wulvers, Ghillie Dhu, and the Cat Sìth. These poems immerse readers in an enriching, diverse and enchanting vision of contemporary life.

The poems in this collection are fun, surprising, and full of a magical mix of myth and contemporary LGBT themes – it is a perfect read for teens who are learning more about themselves, other people, and the world around them. Wain is fully illustrated in colour by Helene Boppert, and aimed at teenagers.

Rachel Plummer was commissioned by LGBT Youth Scotland to write the collection, and the commission was funded by Creative Scotland. The book is accessible to all readers, Scottish and not – it comes with a glossary, which explains more about the myths in the poems. There is also a section of writing exercises to encourage young readers to write their own poems, inspired by the book.” (October 21, 2019)