The CLGS 2022-2023 ONLINE Lavender Lunch Series
Tuesday, 13 September 2022 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time) | ONLINE
Decolonizing Spiritual/Faith-Based Exploration and Formation
Maij Mai
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Maij Mai, Coordinator of the CLGS Asian American/Pacific Islander Roundtable, explores what possibilities can exist when cultivating spiritual/faith-based exploration and formation spaces, particularly for marginalized communities whose experiences do not align with institutionalized faith-based spaces, communities, and traditions.
We will interrogate a variety of decolonial possibilities in this work together, using the first zine edition of the CLGS Asian American/Pacific Islander Roundtable as an experimental tool and example of what decolonial spiritual/faith-based exploration and formation can look like in practice.
Click here for a video recording of this CLGS event!
Tuesday, 11 October 2022 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time) | ONLINE
Reproductive Justice and Black Queer Bodies
Dr. Sylvia Rhue & Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow
Dr. Sylvia Rhue
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Dr. Sylvia Rhue and Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Coordinator of the CLGS African American Roundtable, explore how, in this current intersectional moment, we can educate ourselves on the critical issue of reproductive justice and better advocate for reproductive justice for Black queer people.
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Tuesday, 8 November 2022 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time)
Queer Autobiography: We Were Gender Fluid Before We Even Knew What It Was
Dwayne Ratleff and William Martin
Dwayne Ratleff
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch authors Dwayne Ratleff and William Martin read from their autobiographical novels Dancing To The Lyrics (Ratleff) and The Runaway Bus (Martin).
William Martin
Join in the conversation with these seasoned authors as they reflect upon – and dialogue about – the importance of sharing stories from their queer growing-up years. Also, discover how the telling of our stories can lead us to that “opposite other” we have always wanted to meet and yearned to know.
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Tuesday, 13 December 2022 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time) | ONLINE
In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture
Shannon TL Kearns
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Father Shannon Kearns explores ideas from his recently-published book In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture, which weaves together stories from Shannon’s life into reflections on well-known biblical narratives—such as Jacob wrestling with the divine, Rahab and the Israelite spies, Ezekiel and the dry bones, and the transfiguration of Jesus.
Join us as Shannon shares how these stories have helped him make sense of his own identity, and how those same stories can unlock the transformative power of faith for those willing to listen with an open mind and stand alongside him in the in-between.
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Tuesday, 14 February 2023 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time)
Ministry with Queer Youth
Dr. Ish Ruiz
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Dr. Ish Ruiz will focus on the need for Christian communities to minister to queer youth with special care. Given the polarization in our country over LGBTQ+ inclusion, the reported experience of queer youth’s upbringing, and the harmful rhetoric often promulgated by religious groups, Christian ministers must be well prepared to engage this risky ministry with confidence and a solid theological foundation for this work.
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Tuesday, 14 March 2023 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time) | ONLINE
I Came Here Seeking A Person: A Book Reading
Bill Glenn
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Bill Glenn reads from – and comments upon – his recently-published book I Came Here Seeking a
Person (Paulist Press, 2022). This book is a spiritually-focused memoir: from Bill’s childhood in a Midwestern Irish Catholic family in the 50’s and 60’s; through almost ten years as a member of the Jesuit Order; to his subsequent life as a sober, out gay man – detailing his complex journey of faith over the span of 74 years.
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Tuesday, 11 April 2023 | 12:15pm (Pacific Time) | ONLINE
Transgender and Lutheran: A Journey of Self-Acceptance
Stephanie Dykes
In this online CLGS Lavender Lunch Dr. Stephanie Dkyes provides an introduction to what it means to be transgender, with an emphasis on current anti – transgender legislation. Dr. Dykes then describes the pivotal role played by her own experiences of reconciling her faith as a Lutheran Christian with her gender identity.
This event closes with some recommendations on how cisgender persons can be allies to transgender and gender-diverse communities.