In a close race for the top three spots, the second-ranked article was "Homosexuality of Jesus explored by 18th-century philosopher Jeremy Bentham." A list of the year's best LGBTQ Christian books came in third, followed by a review of "Saintly Brides and Bridegrooms" and "Rainbow Christ Prayer goes nationwide."   

Other winners were announced today in a variety of categories, including:

Most popular classic story: Gay Passion of Christ series. Most popular official saints: 1. Sergius and Bacchus. 2 Perpetua and Felicity. Most popular alternative saints: 1. Henri Nouwen. 2. Rumi. More info 

Queer Clergy Trading Cards bring visibility to LGBTQ ministers with humor. The fun new online visual arts project has celebrated more than 50 ordained Christian clergy since it was launched in November. Queer clergy look cool on these virtual "trading cards" created by Chris Davies. More info

(Credit: Shannon Kearns by Queer Clergy Trading Cards) 

(Credit: "Neither" by David Hayward)

Jesus in Love says "Je suis Charlie" in solidarity with those killed in the attack on the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo Jan. 7. The phrase is French for "I am Charlie." Like the French paper, Jesus in Love also publishes controversial religious art.  The terrorists claimed that they were killing in God's name. Jesus in Love opposes the use of religion to justify violence. More info

St. Sebastian has been called history's first gay icon and the patron saint of homosexuals. He was an early Christian martyr killed in 288 . He is the subject of countless artworks that show him as a near-naked young man being shot with arrows.  Little is known about his love life, so his popularity with gay men is mostly based on how he looks. More info 

(Credit: "Saint Sebastian" by Rick Herold) 

International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the victims of the Nazi era, including LGBT people. Nazi persecution of queers is matched with Jesus falling under his cross in a painting by Mary Button. Other artists who address LGBT deaths in the holocaust (or "homocaust") include Tony O'Connell, William Hart McNichols, John Bittinger Klomp and Richard Grune, an artist sent to concentration camps for homosexuality. More info 

(Credit: Station 3 from "Stations of the Cross: The Struggle For LGBT Equality" by Mary Button) 

Love between Jesus and his Beloved Disciple has been celebrated by artists since medieval times. And the idea that they were lovers has caused controversy since the 16th century. John the Evangelist is usually considered to be the unnamed "disciple whom Jesus loved" from the gospel of John. More info 

(Credit: "Jesus and the Beloved Disciple" by Laurie Gudim) 

David Kato, Ugandan LGBT rights activist, helped launch Uganda's LGBT rights movement. He was beaten to death in 2011 in a case that some blame on anti-gay religious rhetoric. More info

(Credit: "David Kato" by Rod Byatt)  

(Credit: David and Jonathan window, St. Mark's Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland)    

I need $209 to get 2015 off to a strong start due to a shortfall in the Christmas offering.     

Please give now for Jesus in Love, my project to support LGBTQ spirituality and the arts. More info 

Many thanks to the 29 people who gave to the Christmas and Year-End offerings! Click to see donors' names and comments.  

Cards, plaques, T-shirts, mugs, candles, and framed prints