Queer Theology
Table of Contents
IQ Interview with Anna Voinovich
Page 3: IQ interview
What is IQ? IQ (or Interfaith Queers) is a space in which people who identify as LGBTQ+ or as allies can explore spirituality and the ways in which their sexuality and/or gender identity intersect with their faith. We hope that IQ can be a safe and affirming place to do so in which the emphasis is on learning and growing together and not to “pray the gay away” or anything of that sort. Is the space focused on a specific faith or is it open to all? This is an interfaith group, so we do our best to explore a variety of different beliefs and it is open to all.
Page 3: Movie Review Page 5-7: Sexuality and Religion Page 8: More resources
What happens if members have conflicting viewpoints? How do members maintain the safe space in this event? If members have conflicting viewpoints, that is ok. In an interfaith space, from the get go you are going to have people with different beliefs so our goal is not to force anyone to believe any specific thing but to learn about the beliefs of others and to be able to safely express their own beliefs. We maintain a safe space by having open dialogue where people can share if they don’t agree. Also, it is important to note that while we do welcome varying viewpoints and experiences, this is to be an affirming community for LGBTQ+ folk, so if a person cannot get on that page, if someone is , spreading hateful messages, they would be asked to leave. Why does there need to be a space for the IQ community? (In your opinion) There needs to be a space for the IQ community because in so many places it feels like there isn’t. There are definitely times when folks feel too queer for religious communities and too religious for queer communities. There needs to be a space where folks feel comfortable to explore these two aspects of their identity at the same time because they don’t have to be, and they shouldn’t be contradictory. They can compliment each other beautifully when people are given the space to let them. How could someone become a better Advocate or Ally to the IQ Community? To be a better ally or advocate for the IQ community, people can come to some of our meetings. Another option that is really important is to listen. Trying to reconcile one’s faith with their sexual orientation and/or their gender identity can be really difficult. You don’t have to agree with someone’s spiritual beliefs to practice empathy, to stand with them while they try to be whole. That being said, at the same time, if someone pushes you to believe what they believe, know that being an ally or advocate does not mean that you must do as they please. What other resources does IQ provide or want to provide in the future? We are currently in the process of reaching out to other faith communities on campus in hopes that any students who might benefit from IQ but haven’t heard of it can be informed and know that we exist. Also with this, we hope to know what other places on campus are safe for LGBTQ+ students to explore their faith and hopefully collaborate with them to create more safer spaces and to create better material for IQ. Mostly we just provide a safe place to explore spirituality and its relation to sexuality and gender identity. What are some goals of IQ? We hope to grow in the amount of members that are consistently with us, continue to branch out and do more exploration of belief systems outside of Judeo-Christianity, and to lay out a structure and support so that this group can be sustainable beyond this year.
Movie Reviews
Sexuality and Religion This section is research done over the month on different religions and their views on sexuality based on the findings over this time period. These synopsizes are just what is understood after reading done by one person. These are not the views of everyone, as one person cannot speak for an entire religion that they themselves are not a part of. At the end of this section you will find the various article, books, and video links that have culminated in this section.
To start off this is a great documentary to watch if you are interested in how some people handle the Christian religion and the queer community. At the beginning the viewer is introduced to It starts off giving off this feeling that it’s going to only be talking about these parents trying to figure out what’s wrong with their children, but then the entire thing takes a twist for the better. The parents start to talk about how they aren’t going to let what they have been told by their congregations about LGBT people dictate how they are going to treat their children. As this continues some actually change their beliefs and go as far to say that they believe that God made their children this way and that he wouldn’t if it was wrong. Towards the end of this movie the Parents talk more about their feelings on acceptance and all but one totally accept it. This section can be very triggering for a viewer but is a strong message to those watching.
Buddhism
Judaism
When it comes to Buddhism and sexuality it seems that the acceptance of the queer community all depends on one word, lust. Depending on the section people follow there are usually two types of people, the monks and the laypeople. Monks are supposed to refrain from any type of sexual experience for their lives, but laypeople are allowed to partake in sexual acts so long as they are not doing it out of lust but love. That’s where the debates begin, what is considered lust? To some any form of sexual act that isn’t for the sole purpose of procreation is lustful. For others its anything that isn’t done out of love. So some people any sexual act of queerness is lustful because it doesn’t fit within the category of procreation. On the opposite side there are people who say that love for another person does not have to be someone of the opposite sex therefore it is acceptable. Also there are no specific texts that each faction of Buddhism follows each has their own set of writings and book that they follow or strive to be in coherence with. So when it comes to Buddhist sexual desires and what is or isn’t acceptable its all gray.
Judaism focuses frequently on sexuality in text and even goes as far as to say what acts are forbidden. Like in Christianity it is believed that men should not lay with other men. Unlike Christianity some people in Judaism take that as specifically male anal intercourse. Others say that all acts are wrong because of the use of “semen in vain”. It is believed that unless being used for procreation that releasing semen is a waste and a sexual act that you may not perform. Along with these forbidden acts there are a couple other non-queer related acts like getting divorced and becoming sexually active and performing sexual acts with gentiles. Judaism does have some progressive followers who believe that homosexuality is fine and that everyone should be accepted as is, but the followers of the older interpretations are more strict and sexist in their teachings.
Hinduism Hinduism is another religion with various views. Some texts that are used in this religion condemn any homosexual act where others say that it’s a natural and joyful experience. Some even have stories of people falling in love with the same sex they identify with. Unlike western culture this religion does not classify men by sexual orientation. They do have a concept called third gender in which people are considered to have both male and female elements within them. There are even some sections of this religion that do not separate sexual acts and considers them all heterosexual and queer acts are just variations from what is considered the standard. Hinduism is more focused on the gender aspect of a person and has many variations of gender that are accepted in their religion. They even have some depictions of the god Shiva with both male and female characteristics
Chrisitanity In Christianity things can become very confusing when reading and interpreting. In the early writings there is a strong emphasis on virginity and celibacy but sex and or procreation are both not really spoken of. Sex within marriage in this religion is supported but condemned if not married. One section of Corinthians says that if a person does feel these desires to get married as “it is better to marry than burn from passion.” Fornication is a word in this religion that is highly debated and people come up with their own interpretations. Currently it is meant as a word for consensual sex but some people use it to mean illegal acts of sex then broaden it depending on their beliefs. Similar to Judaism people use quotes from the to explain their beliefs on things like homosexuality.
More Resources In this section you can find more resources on queer theology and the various pieces that were used to bring you information in this months Queer Query. Websites • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Queer_theologians • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_sexuality#Christianity • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism_and_sexuality • http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-hinduism • http://www.jewfaq.org/sex.htm • http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/topics/s/sex-and-sexuality/ • http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/christians-masturbation Books • Rainbow Theology- Patrick S. Cheng • The Red Thread • Same Sex Love in India • Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology- Patrick S. Cheng • Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto-Robert E. Shore-Goss • Gay Theology without Apology- Gary David Comstock