I didn’t expect to be on a flight to Mexico. I thought I would spend most of today completing multiple unfinished writing projects that I have long neglected. Things changed when I met Ramon. Carrollton, Texas is not the type of place one would expect miracles to happen. When I pulled up to the apartment complex two days ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. I only had vague knowledge that a young man was dying... Read more
“I can’t preach in your pulpit,” United Methodist Rev. Justin Hancock informed the small audience at the Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. Everyone looked around stunned, until someone finally gathered the nerve to ask, “What do you mean?” “Your pulpit is not accessible to persons in wheelchairs,” Hancock poignantly replied. Ours is a congregation that takes pride in being a welcoming space for all people. Founded in 1970, the Cathedral of Hope UCC is the largest LGBT church... Read more
do not be afraid yet we have fear give without payment yet we can’t survive shake the dust off yet we are still dirty is this what we are supposed to do travel around and die with you Read more
Sonograms are interesting experiences for parents who dare to believe their children are gendered unique in the image of God. The dichotomy of boy and girl seem trite and misguided when staring at the formation of life. I refused to allow the technician’s misguided question of “Do you want to know the gender of the twins?” to distract me from the beauty of the moment. While staring at the screen and listening to the garbled statements of the technician, I... Read more
Today is a day of celebration for liberation. We are the people of God. We are the people of liberation. On this Pride Sunday, let us not forget those whose liberation is not yet complete. We remember all who still face oppression and marginalization in our world. Let us pray. This morning we draw near to you God to pray for those who face sickness and infirmities. We pray for those who sit in hospital rooms with no... Read more
The many closet doors will be closed tightly at Dallas Pride. Behind the smiles and drunken debauchery, there will be terror about what it would mean to leave the new normal that many have developed. Most of the participants will have told their parents and friends about their sexuality or gender, but few will have come out of the closet of homonormativity that has developed in a race for a false equality. We live in a world that bestows privileges... Read more
Queer Theology goes beyond identity. Queer Theology seeks to affirm people for who God has created them to be. So often we give categories and identities to provide description for who we are. We forget that we were created in the image of God and that the core of us is that dear image. We have eternal value beyond the categories and identities, beyond whatever we can do and beyond whatever we can claim to be. When I start... Read more
*First published in Fellowship Magazine Summer 2014 // http://forusa.org/fellowship/2014/summer-fall/book-review-i-am-troy-davis/13032 On the evening of September 21, 2011, I stood outside of the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison. In front of me, row after row of police officers stood dressed in riot gear, slapping their batons against their shields and daring anyone to make a move. The protest cries of “I AM TROY DAVIS!” filled the air. Shortly after 11:08 p.m., word reached us that Troy Davis had been executed by... Read more
*Delivered at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas on 9/18/2014 We are in the midst of a series entitled “Wrestling with Romans.” I think if we are going to be honest with our self and study the book of Romans then we have to talk about the wrestlings of a Roman in the life of the Apostle Paul. For me, when I look to the life of Paul…I see someone who is constantly wrestling and struggling... Read more
“Lesbian Murdered.” What if that was all the news headlines said? I have a feeling that most of the progressive community would be up in arms and ready to fight. There would be petitions and rallies demanding action. We would invoke the name of God and whatever else we could get a hold of to demand justice. Many would sacrifice our time in front of our favorite television shows and movies to push for accountability. Tonight, a lesbian will... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In