COURTESY
PRIDE IN THE MEDIA
Exploring Intersectional Christianity Ademian Pinder and Andrés Herrera provide a platform for queer and BIPOC people of faith.
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rappling with the intersectionality of the queer community and Christianity can be a challenge that most people aren’t willing to face. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church began to take on that challenge decades ago, and is now a Montrose haven where Christians of all sexualities and gender identities can proudly profess their faith. Through their new podcast Faith from the Margins, church members Ademian Pinder and Andrés Herrera are using their voices and personal experiences to bring queer faith leaders and allies to the airwaves and prove that there’s plenty of room at the table for all. They envision the show as a platform for those who 30 JANUARY 2022 | OutSmartMagazine.com
By ZACH M c KENZIE are so often silenced. “Faith from the Margins is a podcast about the intersection of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation with Christianity,” Herrera, an out transgender man, explains. “We want to create a space for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Christians to share their stories. The fact that we get to tell our stories and not have someone else speak for us is huge.” Show co-host Pinder, who is an out gay man, explains why the podcasting process has been a mutually beneficial experience. “[The show has] been an opportunity for honest conversation to take place,” he says. “It has given me, as a co-host, the opportunity to engage and reflect on my own life while being enlightened by what guests have to share. And it hopefully
gives listeners [a few] nuggets for their journey. With a background in journalism, Herrera brings his broadcast expertise and unique life experiences to the pod to encourage those who need it most. “[I’m able to] share my experiences as a person of faith, and my journey in the Episcopal Church,” he explains. “I grew up in Latin America and transitioned there, so I am able to share the challenges I have experienced in evangelical churches in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Chile.” It’s no wonder why the duo felt emboldened to create a St. Stephen’s-sponsored podcast, considering their parish’s illustrious background in supporting the LGBTQ community. “St. Stephen’s has always been a church that welcomes everyone and gives them a seat at
