General Introduction: Resources with a broad focus providing a general introduction.

A la Familia: Una Conversación Sobre Nuestras Familias, la Biblia, la Orientación Sexual Y la Identidad de Género/A Conversation About Our Families, the Bible, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Miguel A. De La Torre (format: Free Download)

A guide that seeks to hear the voices of the lgbt persons in Hispanic churches and families, to faithfully integrate an excluded group of people back into the life of their churches and families, and to embolden Hispanic churches to follow the mission Christ gives to them — that of welcome and hospitality.

(categories: All, Discernment and Discussion, General Introduction, Latina/o, Personal Stories)

A Time to Seek: Study Guide on Sexual and Gender Diversity

(format: Free Download)

Offers a concise review of current sociological, public health and scientific data regarding sexual orientation and gender. It also considers key Scriptural passages in light of contemporary understandings of sexual and gender diversity.

(categories: All, General Introduction, The Curious)

Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality

American Psychological Association (format: free-download)

This pamphlet from the American Psychological Association is designed to provide accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation and the impact of prejudice and discrimination on those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

(categories: All, General Introduction, Information from Academic and Medical Sources)

Body and Soul: We Belong

Room for All, 2014 (format: On-line Video)

This series of 6 videos is produced by Room for All, the welcoming church program similar to GLAD in the Reformed Church in America. Each video examines a theological topic such as faith, baptism, and scripture. Although the discussion in the video sometimes focuses on creed and catechism in ways unfamiliar to Disciples, the questions asked are deeply familiar and the resulting discussion honors Christian tradition in ways that any Disciple can appreciate. Each video is about 10 minutes long and there’s a study guide available, making this an excellent resource for a Sunday School or Bible study group.

(categories: All, Beginning the Journey, General Introduction, The Curious, Theology)

Clunky Questions

LutheranWorks, 2015 (format: on-line-video)

Clunky questions is a series of short videos produced by our Lutheran friends at ReconcilingWorks. These three minute videos cover a range of topics including

Why can’t church just say “All are Welcome!” and leave it at that?
“LGBTQIA” Why do you need a label for everything?
I don’t “get” trans.
Is this a gay church now?
. . . and more! Check it out.

(categories: All, General Introduction, The Curious)

For the Bible Tells Me So

(more information)

Daniel Karslake, 2007 (format: on-line-video)

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families — including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson — we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the cross hairs of scripture and sexual identity. Don’t miss the study guides available on the website (see the Resources tab at the More Information link).

Available on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhSa1oAipHg

(categories: All, Beginning the Journey, General Introduction, The Curious)

If Eve Only Knew: Freeing Yourself from Biblical Womanhood and Becoming All God Means for You

Kendra Weddle Irons and Melanie Springer Mock, 2015 (format: book)

“She is a godly woman.” “True love waits.” Are these phrases and many others about gender truly based in scripture, or based on dusty, outdated stereotypes? And how do these perceptions repress people, especially women, from fully expressing their faith?

If Eve Only Knew offers a fresh perspective on gender and the Bible, destroying trumped-up, captive-creating messages with the freeing proclamation grounded in Jesus’ ministry and found everywhere in scripture: that we are all created in God’s image, and by relying on our gifts and skills – rather than on gender-designed roles – we become all God means for us to be.

Check out this YouTube with the authors.

(categories: All, Bible Study, General Introduction)