Rainbows are becoming a more common way to express the LGBTQ side of Christianity. This month see how rainbows shed fresh light on the crucifix, the Madonna, and Christ.

Rainbow clothing gives a queer quality to Jesus and his mother Mary in new paintings by gay British artist and minister Richard Stott.

 

The rainbow Christian images made their debut recently as part of the exhibit "Sacred Stories of the Body: Gender, Sexuality and Spirituality" in Sheffield, England. More info

 

(Credit: "Solidarity" (left) and "Untitled" (right) by Richard Stott) 

People are adapting the Rainbow Christ Prayer for many different settings, such as a theology class in Dallas, a non-violence training in Pennsylvania, and a poetry reading in Los Angeles.   

 

It has been used as a blessing at Shabbat dinners, a meditation at yoga classes, and a wedding gift at a same-sex marriage. The prayer matches the colors of the rainbow flag with models of the queer Christ. More info 

 

(Credit: "Stained-glass Rainbow Flag with Cross" by Andrew Craig Williams)

Jemima Wilkinson was a queer American preacher who woke from a near-death experience in 1776 believing she was neither male nor female. She changed her name to the "Publick Universal Friend," fought for gender equality and founded an important religious community.

 

In 1776, the same year that America issued the Declaration of Independence, Wilkinson declared her own independence from gender.  This fascinating person died almost 200 years ago on July 1, 1819. More info 

The deadliest attack on LGBT people in U.S. history is remembered in powerful ways on its 41st anniversary: a new film, book and online exhibit.

"Upstairs Inferno," a film by Robert Camina, aims to be the most comprehensive film on America's biggest gay mass murder. The arson fire killed 32 people at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, on June 24, 1973. More info

 

(Credit:"See You at the UpStairs Lounge" by Skylar Fein)  

Human rights champion and queer saint Pauli Murray is a renowned civil rights pioneer, feminist, author, lawyer and the first black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest.

She was approved for inclusion in the Episcopal book of saints in 2012. July 1 is her feast day. She became aware of her queer sexuality early in life. Murray was attracted to women and her longest relationships were with women. She described herself as a man trapped in a woman's body and took hormone treatments. More info

(Credit: "Pauli Murray" by Laurel Green)

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My camera has provided photos for the Jesus in Love blog and newsletter since 2008. Let's keep it working to bring more images of LGBT spirituality the world! The photo shows me peeking out from behind the camera repair bill. More info

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Santos Queer presenta en las fechas adecuadas durante todo el año tanto santas y santos como mártires, héroes, heroinas y personas consagradas de especial interés para las personas  lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales (LGBT) y sus aliados.