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February 2015
Jesus in Love Newsletter
LGBT spirituality and the arts
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In This Issue
Top stories of 2014
Queer Clergy Trading Cards
"Neither" icon
Je Suis Charlie
New Books
St Sebastian
Brigid and soulmate
Holocaust
Beloved disciple
David Kato
Jonathan and David
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Today I am announcing the top stories of 2014 at the Jesus in Love Blog -- and sharing the fun of Queer Clergy Trading Cards.
Top LGBTQ spiritual stories of 2014 named
 
Art museums exploring queer Latino Christian imagery on both coasts became the most popular LGBT spiritual news story for 2014 at the Jesus in Love Blog, publisher Kittredge Cherry announced today.

 

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 

 

(Credits: (Credit: "The Resurrection" by Eny Roland (ArtCenter/South Florida) and "Felicity and Perpetua" by Maria Cristina)

Queer Clergy Trading Cards bring visibility

  Queer Clergy Trading Card Kearns

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

Rare icons shows queer black Jesus


Neither by David HaywardA rare icon of a queer black Jesus is "Neither" by David Hayward. It shows a dark-skinned Christ who is half male and half female in the style of a Hindu deity. He/she has a rainbow halo and holds a transgender symbol.

The title comes from the Bible: "There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." More info

 

(Credit: "Neither" by David Hayward)

 

Je Suis Charlie: Controversial religious art  Je Suis Charlie logo

 

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

New LGBTQ Christian books: Feb 2015



"Beyond Heterosexism in the Pulpit" by Emily Askew and O. Wesley Allen Jr.
 

 

"LGBT In The Name of God: The Black Church's Response to the LGBT Community" by Christopher James Priest

 

More info  

Saint Sebastian: History's first gay icon 

 

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) 

 

St. Brigid loved her female soulmate

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St. Brigid and her soulmate Darlughdach were 6th-century nuns who brought art, education and spirituality to early medieval Ireland. 

They were so close that they slept in the same bed. Brigid shares her name and feast day with a Celtic goddess.  More info

(Credit: "Saint Brigid and Darlughdach of Kildare" by Rowan Lewgalon and Tricia Danby)
Holocaust: We all wear the triangle

Jesus falls 1st time -  Nazis persecution

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) 

Beloved Disciple: The man Jesus loved

Jesus and Beloved Disciple by Laurie Gudim

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 martyr
David Kato by Rod Byatt

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)  

Jonathan & David: Love between men in the Bible
David and Jonathan window from Scotland
Jonathan fell in love with David in Biblical times.  Intense love between the two men is portrayed by artists old and new. The same-sex couple's powerful love story shows that gay relationships are affirmed and blessed by God.   More info    

 

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

29 gave in December... $209 still needed

Kittredge Cherry 2013

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 

 

Donate button  

   

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

Click to see recent highlights from the Jesus in Love Blog this month:

 

Major LGBT magazine covers Passion book censorship

Aelred of Rievaulx: Gay saint of friendship

  

Jeanne Manford: PFLAG founder who loved her gay son

Enjoy early February, a time of love (Saint Valentine's Day) and celebration (Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday on Feb. 17) before the Lenten season of reflection begins Feb. 18 with Ash Wednesday.  

 

May God prepare us for tomorrow as we taste all the wonders of today!

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Kittredge Cherry
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