Embracing the Spectrum: Gender and Sexuality in All Their Glory
Hey there, friends! Let’s settle in and talk about a topic that’s as vast as the sky and as colorful as a sunset—gender and sexuality.
I know it can feel like walking into a whirlwind, but stick with me. This is important, and it’s beautiful.
Beyond the Binary
For so long, we’ve been taught to see gender and sexuality through a binary lens. Male or female. Straight or gay. Black or white. It’s neat and tidy, but life is rarely like that, is it?
The truth is, God’s creation is far more diverse and complex than our limited categories. Just look at nature—a kaleidoscope of colors, patterns, and forms. Why would humans, created in God’s image, be any less magnificent?
Take gender, for instance. Many people feel comfortable identifying as male or female, and that’s wonderful. But others don’t fit neatly into those categories. Some are nonbinary, genderqueer, or genderfluid. Others are born Intersex. These aren’t new ideas; cultures worldwide have recognized more than two genders for centuries. The hijra of South Asia, the Two-Spirit people of many Indigenous cultures, and the fa’afafine of Samoa are just a few examples.
Expanding Our Understanding of Sexuality
When it comes to sexuality, the diversity is equally stunning. People love in different ways and are attracted to different kinds of people. Some are heterosexual, others are gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual. There’s even a spectrum of romantic attraction separate from sexual attraction.
It’s not about labeling for the sake of it; it’s about understanding ourselves and others more deeply.
Here’s the thing: this variety isn’t a mistake. It’s not an aberration. It’s a reflection of the infinite creativity of the Divine.
Imagine an artist painting a masterpiece. They don’t limit themselves to just two colors. They mix, blend, and experiment to create something breathtaking.
That’s how God works.
Listening to the Stories
One of the most profound ways to understand the spectrum of gender and sexuality is to listen—really listen—to people’s stories. Every story is sacred. When someone shares their journey of discovering their gender identity or coming to terms with their sexuality, they’re inviting you into holy ground.
Think about the courage it takes to say, “This is who I am,” especially in a world that often responds with judgment or fear. For many, the journey is marked by pain, rejection, and loneliness. But there’s also joy, resilience, and love.
By listening with an open heart, we affirm their worth and dignity.
Love Without Conditions
Here’s the crux of it: our call is to love. Not to judge. Not to fix. Just love.
Jesus—the one many of us look to as our example—spent his time with people who didn’t fit societal norms. He welcomed them, embraced them, and saw them for who they truly were.
If we’re going to follow him, shouldn’t we do the same?
It’s not our job to decide who’s in or out, who’s right or wrong. That’s above our pay grade. Our job is to love extravagantly, recklessly, and without strings attached. And in doing so, we create space for people to flourish, to heal, and to thrive.
A Vision of Inclusion
Imagine a world where everyone is seen and celebrated for who they are. Where a young person questioning their gender identity is met with understanding instead of hostility. Where love, in all its forms, is honored as sacred.
That’s the kind of world I want to help build.
It starts with us—with our words, our actions, and our willingness to unlearn and relearn. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Because every person—every single one—is a masterpiece.
So let’s open our hearts, embrace the spectrum, and celebrate the beauty of God’s creation in all its glorious diversity.
Together, we can create a world that reflects the boundless love of the Creator. And that, my friends, is a vision worth pursuing.
**
You’re invited to join me for the new weekly online course I’ll be co-hosting with artist/musician Angie Von Slaughter starting Wednesday, January 8th.
Are you a creative person who struggles to find new ideas? Or maybe you’ve got too many ideas but you just don’t know how to get started?
This course is a Live Online Zoom call where we gather with other artists to explore creativity and share exercises and prompts to help us unlock our creativity together.
Register now and save 20% off for a limited time only>
The newest book from Keith Giles, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon. Order HERE>
Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has appeared on CNN, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything.”
He co-hosts The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast and his solo podcast, Second Cup With Keith which are both available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Podbean or wherever you find your podcast fix.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In