Spiritual or pastoral care has so often been denied to queer or trans folks and been a source of incredible pain and stress. In a launch of new resources for our Resource Portal, generously funded by the Tegan and Sara Foundation, we are celebrating the important works of female and nonbinary writers, artists and spiritual leaders providing alternate and affirming modes of care.
The Queer Evangelist, the memoir of Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo (CM), is an intimate and generous account of her many decades of activism, beginning as a street kid in Toronto coming of age in the queer scene. She describes moving into the corporate world when she was eager to become a mother, finding her path towards ministry in the 1990s and then serving as an MPP for 12 years in the Ontario legislature, where she passed more 2SLGBTQ+ bills than anyone in Canadian history. These major wins included banning conversion therapy in the province and passing Toby’s Law: the first Transgender Rights legislation in North America. DiNovo reflects on her theological work and fight against the Christian Right, and affirms the diversity of queer people of faith. As she notes in her book, “My entire ministry was based on my opinion that the Christian Right is neither Christian nor right where queer folk were concerned, and I didn’t hide that fact.
Famed nonbinary artist and writer, Ivan Coyote, was inspired to write their latest book, Care of: Letters, Connections and Cures, from the limitations of a COVID-19 lockdown. Performing across the world in front of thousands of people for over a dozen years, Coyote has received many thoughtful and heartbreaking letters, which the author filed away for when they had time to send a proper reply. So as COVID hit, Coyote began replying to the scores of letters, and with the exchanges, ruminated on navigating nonbinary identities, queer elderhood, religious shame, and reckoning with how parents (mis)understand their children. Care of is moving and a perfect read for remembering the incredible community of queerness across the world, which Coyote adores and cherishes in these pages. Coyote writes to queer youth “That they are blessed, holy and sacred no matter who they love or who they are.” The book is gorgeous to listen to in audio form as well, as it is read by the verbally gifted Coyote. For reflections on spirituality, pay special attention to Chapter Two: Your Kate and Chapter Nine: All of You.
In a series for Black History Month 2021, “Queering Faith: Reclaiming the Holy of Sexuality,” Khalisa Rae Thompson writes about embracing the erotic in poetry, and placing it within a context of holiness and Godliness. Drawing on the works of Tiana Clark, Audre Lorde, and Dorothy Chan, Thompson writes, "Now, all my work hinges on that intersection of spirituality and sexuality. The dichotomy of desire and spirit. What I’m learning is they are connected." The article also includes her poem, "Mackerel," about her mother's discovery of her and a female friend.
Serenade is a new album from the nonprofit, Beloved Arise, which poignantly “explores the hope and heartbreak of living as a queer person of faith.” The compilation album features ten original songs written and performed by queer musicians and allies. It is the first-ever album dedicated to LGBTQIA+ youth of faith and serves as anthems for Queer Youth of Faith Day on June 30, 2021.” One standout is by She/They, aka Mel Rottman, which you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_nScbTPD1k&t=12s&ab_channel=beloved_arise.
“A Queer Chaplain” is the project of trans, gender queer drag queen Bonnie Violet that includes both a YouTube page and Facebook group. Bonnie describes her work as providing spiritual care for queers and helping others find a spiritual thread to weave their narrative. Bonnie also collaborates with other artists around the world whose work explores spirituality, and has hosted a series called TransSpirit.
We hope you enjoy these new resources and thank the Tegan and Sara Foundation for providing us the funds to add in contributions from women and girls.