Encyclopedia

Gender & Sexuality

Words and Concepts

• L, G, B, T, Q, Q, I, A… what do all the letters mean?
• A short history of homosexuality
• Why queer? Isn’t it a slur?

Sexual Orientation

• What does it mean to be gay and Christian?
• What does it mean to be bisexual and Christian?
• What is bi-phobia, bi-erasure, and bi visibility?
• Are romantic attraction and sexual attraction different?
• What does it mean to be asexual and Christian?
• Aren’t the sexes meant to complement each other?

Gender Identity

• What does it mean to be transgender and Christian?
• Can you be a “non-binary” Christian?
• Is being transgender a mental disorder?
• What challenges and prejudices do transgender people face?

Scripture and Theology

Scripture

• Why do some Christians believe it’s OK to be gay, when the Bible says it isn’t?
• What does the story of creation in Genesis 1 tell us about gender? (Genesis 1:26-27)
• The Bible says Adam and Eve. Does that mean only straight marriage is OK? (Genesis 2:18-25)
• Is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah about homosexuality? (Genesis 19:1-29)
• Doesn’t Leviticus say homosexuality is an abomination? (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13)
• What does the Bible say about gendered clothing? (Deuteronomy 22:5)
• Were David and Jonathan lovers?  (1 Samuel 18 – 2 Samuel 1)

Is the eunuch of Acts 8 nonbinary?
Does Peter’s dream in Acts 10-15 relate to LGBTQ+ Christians?
What does Paul mean in Romans 1?
What does 1 Corinthians 6:9 say — and mean?

Reading and Interpretation

• What is historical criticism?
• What is biblical literalism?

Theology

• I’m really interested in theology and the Bible! How can I learn more?

• How do we talk about God’s gender?
• What is feminist theology?


Life and Family

• What do I do when my friend is LGBTQ?
• My child just came out.  What do I do?
• Is it okay to “hate the sin but love the sinner”?
• I think I might be gay or bi or trans or queer. What do I do?

• How do I come out if my family/church/therapist isn’t welcoming?
• What do I do during holidays with unaffirming family?


Church and Denominations

Church

• How do I find a welcoming community?
• How do we talk about the people of God?
• How do we talk about God in worship?

Denominations

• What is the Catholic Church, and what do they believe?
• Who are Evangelicals, and what do they believe?
• What are mainline Protestants?
• Who are Lutherans, and what do they believe?
• Who are Episcopalians, and what do they believe?
• Who are Presbyterians, and what do they believe?
• Who are Quakers, and what do they believe?
• Who are Mormons, and what do they believe?