Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

I offer up some reflections moving from Jesus's path to the cross into those twilit hours before he rose. I interweave my own story of deep trauma and hope of healing on the way. After church hurt and religious trauma, how do we rise to new spiritual life?Content warning: discussions of religious trauma and queerphobia; brief, non-specific suicide mention.Click here for an episode transcript.Click here for the article mentioned in the episode (cw anti-trans violence).Taize music: "Within Our Darkest Night," performed by UUSantaMonica.

Avery and Micah offer a conversational primer in queer theology — from its origins in queer theory, to distinctions between queer and simply affirming theologies, to fabulously queer passages from scripture. This episode was originally published on The Word in Black and Red, a podcast moving chapter by chapter through the Bible with co-hosts offering perspectives informed by anarcho-communism, queerness, disability, class, and more. Find the podcast, its discord, and more here: https://linktr.ee/twibar Check out the Llama Pack's Facebook here (Micah's online faith community for people wary of church.) ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.

First Laura Sommer and then Rowan share their experiences at AutScape, an annual meeting of autistic folk of all ages in England. Both discuss how AutScape has given them glimpses of what it would be like to live in a world where autistic culture is celebrated, diverse communication styles and sensory needs are accommodated, and special interests received with joy. Be sure to check out ⁠Laura's Autistic Liberation Theology podcast⁠ for a companion episode that centers around this question: how can various marginalized groups resist the world's assumptions that we have no place in any positive future — be it the immediate future, the speculative futures of science fiction, or the Kin(g)dom of heaven? ⁠Click here for an episode transcript⁠! Talking Points: (0:00) Introducing AutScape and the need to imagine futures for ourselves that the world claims we don't fit into (4:38) Laura's AutScape experiences — a glimpse of what socializing & community could be like an an autistic-centered world (11:15) Prophetic promises and “making a way out of no way” (13:00) Introducing Rowan; gently ribbing neurotypicals (17:50) How AutScape helped Rowan embrace the autistic identity; AutScape as a space to try out new things (28:12) Communication badges; universal design; wrapping up This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also made use of "At Home," "Sunrise, St. Chapelle," and "Closing Time" by John Hamilton, with permission.

John Hamilton is a non-theist pastor whose lifelong search for transcendence has taken him from altar boy to rock-and-roll musician, from preaching with certainty into embracing the unknowable nature of God. In this episode, John and I discuss his upcoming memoir, Honest to God, which comes out September 15. Get book info at Wildhouse Publishing here. Click here for an episode transcript. Content warning: alcohol & addiction (from 19:00-24:35). Talking Points: (0:00) Introducing John Hamilton's memoir Honest to God (5:00) The inspiration and publication process (11:00) Reaching ego death through transcendence; transcendence in Catholic worship (16:13) Finding transcendence as a rock-and-roll musician (19:00) Years of keeping a panic disorder secret; getting in and out of alcohol dependence (24:35) Becoming a pastor, coming to understand that God is unknowable (36:10) Looking to humanity's future — more divisions, dying churches; what do we hold onto? (44:00) Finding "hard hope" while pastoring dying churches (47:30) Hoping for deeper and more honest conversations; wrapping up Where to find John: therealjohnhamilton.com John's substack John's music on Spotify John's playlist for Honest to God ____ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also made use of "At Home," "Sunrise, St. Chapelle," and "Closing Time" by John Hamilton, with permission.

How can we use this last week of Disability Pride Month to celebrate the unique insights into human and divine nature that disability can bring? For starters, we can learn from the wisdom of disabled activists and theologians, which is what you'll find in this episode. Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00) Intro + Eli Clare on intersectional pride (5:35) Pastor Lamar Hardwick: ableism = the fear of being human (9:10) Letiah Fraser: our fragile, mortal bodies are where we meet God (12:15) Rabbi Julia Watts Belser + Laura Sommer: disabled bodies' unique insights into the divine (22:00) John M. Hull: encountering God beyond light and dark (25:50) Bekah Anderson's meditation on the Body of God, "with every ability and every disability in the world"; wrapping up Other episodes that dig into disability: Our Pride Is Not a Sin: A disabled and Christian lens No End to Transphobia without Uprooting Ableism: Exploring embedded forms of oppression Goodness Embodied: An intersex, nonbinary first human and a disabled risen Christ Marginalized Bodies as Spectacle & the Good News in Jesus' Disabling Wounds Making Space for Gethsemane: Two trans & disabled theologians discuss what people in pain actually need How Shiva Gave Rudra Their Name: The life of a disabled nonbinary Fijian Canadian “We just want to be heard”: Dee on Chile, race, disability, and trans rights Eli and the Prophet Elijah ____ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Flies on the Prize," "Beaconsfield Villa Stomp," "I Snost, I Lost," and "His Last Share of the Stars" by Doctor Turtle.

In 2017, Kate Davoli (they/them, MDiv) was dismissed from the ordination process for being polyamorous. In spite of this heartache, they have remained steadfastly part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Listen — or read along in the transcript — as Kate recalls the events leading up to & following their dismissal; ponders what we learn about God through polyamorous people's lives & callings; and balances the heartache of being denied ordination with the queer gift of how their liminal status facilitates ministry to church-hurt people. Talking Points: (0:00) Intro: as Pride month ends and the PC(USA)'s General Assembly begins, we remember the work still to be done to achieve full and equal access for all (6:50) Kate's dismissal from the ordination process over being polyamorous – living with and raising children with two life partners; how being open has allowed them to find support, and be support (34:00) Kate's thoughts about getting polyamory into the Book of Order — unintended consequences; the path to ordination continues to be inequitable for queer folks, disabled folks, etc. — hence things like the Olympia Overture (46:21) What Kate's unordained ministry looks like: working within Presbyterian institutions, and outside them; able to serve people hurt by the church who might not trust an “official” minister (54:20) What does it mean for the church, and what does it say about God, that polyamorous people are being called to ministry? — re-shaping relationship to be more communal, less nuclear (60:44) A historical role model? — Karl Barth's own complex polyamorous experience (64:36) God is not a jerk; you are not alone; wrapping up ____ Get info about Kate's ministry at www.davoliconsulting.com, or find books they've written at kdavoli.gumroad.com. Check out LGBTQIA+ Affirming Ministries of Pittsburgh (LAMP) at lampgh.org. Learn more about the Olympia Overture being voted on this week here. Learn more about polyamory: www.morethantwo.com/. ____ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Ants Built a City on His Chest" and "Know No No-Nos" by Doctor Turtle. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/binarybreakers/message

Listen or read along in the episode transcript for two reflections kicking off the Lenten season: Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine's Day this year — what can Ash Wednesday + the story of Saint Valentine teach us about facing our own mortality and resisting the pressure to put romantic love on a pedestal? Next, let's connect the glowing coal touched to the prophet's lips in Isaiah 6 to the ashes we wear on our foreheads today. Why are physical signs of spiritual truths important? How does acknowledging our limitations open us to divine blessing? Announcement: The Blessed Are the Binary Breakers podcast will likely be updating more sporadically this year! To keep up with all that I'm up to, visit linktr.ee/queerlychristian. Interested in hiring me to workshop with your faith community? Learn more here. Talking Points: (0:00) Housekeeping — my plans for 2024 (2:51) Connecting Ash Wednesday and the legend of Saint Valentine of Rome (4:30) Resisting amatonormativity on Valentine's Day and throughout Lent (6:50 - end) Connecting Isaiah 6's glowing coal to Ash Wednesday Resources: Sign up for Daily Ripple⁠! Resources to learn about Palestine and ways to get active Learn more about amatonormativity and how it's harmful QSpirit's article reading Saint Valentine's story through a queer lens ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "His Last Share of the Stars" and "Reality Cartwheeled" by Doctor Turtle. Find more episodes & resources at blessedarethebinarybreakers.com.

Listen to — or read along in the episode transcript — Jewish, Christian, and Muslim poems by Palestinians and their supporters. Poetry empowers us to imagine liberation that we can then work towards, together. Some pieces explore the Nativity story through this lens: Christmas joy must break bread with pain, birthing solidarity with all oppressed peoples. Talking Points: (0:00) Ross Gay on mixing pain and joy to birth solidarity; poetry as resistance (7:11) Aurora Levins Morales on the history of antisemitism + envisioning solidarity & interdependence in “Red Sea” (12:30) Najah Hussein Musa dispelling anti-Palestinian myths in “Bethlehem” (14:42) Avery Arden — “Christ is Barred from Bethlehem”  (17:48) Basman Derawi — memorializing a fun-loving friend killed in an airstrike in ”His Name Was Essa” (19:52) Hiba Abu Nada, killed in an airstrike, longs for safety in “I Grant You Refuge” (23:30) Rev. Munther Isaac & Avery Arden — Christ born into rubble (28:10) Refaat Alareer & Ibtisam Barakat — poetry helps us imagine the liberation we can then fight for (33:36) Avery Arden & Ainsley Herrick — “O Come O Come Emmanuel” rewritten for Palestine's plight Visit the episode transcript for all links to the various poems; here are some key resources: Rev. Munther Isaac's sermon "God Is under the Rubble in Gaza" Aurora Levins Morales' article "Latin@s, Israel and Palestine: Understanding Antisemitism" Fady Joudah's article "A Palestinian Meditation in a Time of Annihilation" The "We Are Not Numbers" project Refaat Alareer's lecture on poetry For shareable versions of my poems / song, visit binarybreakingworship.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. Find more episodes & resources at blessedarethebinarybreakers.com.

I sit down with public historian Emma Cieslik (she/her) to hear all about her Queer and Catholic Oral History Project, supported by the Pacific School of Religion. For Emma, the word catholic is truly "universal" — she's interviewed Roman Catholics and folk Catholics, ex-Catholics and "it's complicated" Catholics, queer religious and lay folk. In documenting these diverse perspectives, Emma is preserving the beautiful breadth of queer Catholic stories and gifts so that no one can claim they don't exist. ⁠Click here to view the project's webpage⁠. For links to other articles and projects Emma mentions in her interview, as well as for resources on current events in Palestine, visit the episode transcript. Find Emma on Twitter or Instagram @eocieslik. Reach out to her at eocieslik@gmail.com or queerandcatholicoralhistory@gmail.com. ___ Talking Points: (0:00) Opening remarks (2:27) Emma's background: Raised Catholic with Purity Movement influence; museum studies focused on accessibility and storytelling (7:44) The draw to oral history — prioritizes telling marginalized people's stories in their own words (11:04) Support from Bernard Schlager and the Pacific School of Religion; interviewing ex Catholics, a seminarian and a trans priest, members of various ethnic Catholic churches… (27:22) Outreach Conference panel: highlighting the unique experiences of queer Catholic women (29:30) More on emphasizing the many ways one can be Catholic; Catholic influences in mainstream culture (35:15) Appropriation vs. appreciation vs. reclaiming Catholic imagery & traditions (42:52) Queer Catholics drawn to Santa Muerte — knowing what it's like to live with death (51:25) Wrapping up __ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. Find more episodes & resources at blessedarethebinarybreakers.com.

Isaiah 56:1-8 shares God's message of not only tolerance but radical welcome for the ultimate Others of the biblical world: eunuchs. How did Isaiah 56's author come to understand Divine affirmation for this denigrated group, when Deuteronomy 23's author had offered only rejection? And why does this scripture resonate deeply with many transgender persons of faith today? Click here for an episode transcript. For my Isaiah 56 translations notes, click here. For other thoughts and resources on Isaiah 56 and biblical eunuchs, scroll down to "Better Than Sons or Daughters" on this webpage. Talking Points: (0:00) Message from a listener — Rowan brings news of London Pride, finds blessing in their daily work (4:28) Introducing my sermon on Isaiah 56:3-8; reading the scripture passage (7:30) My personal story — realizing my church's promise of unconditional welcome was conditional, after all; finding solace in God's good news for eunuchs and foreigners in Isaiah 56 (11:53) Eunuchs as the "Ultimate Other"; differences from and resonances with today's transgender community (16:28) Historical context — how Judah's traumatic exile moved rejection of eunuchs from the political to the personal (19:55 to end) The challenge to faith communities today — to live into Isaiah 56's radical welcome, we must ensure trans folk are not merely tolerated, but fully belong ____ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Green-Fields" and "Arrival" by Scott Holmes via Free Creative Commons (CC-A-NC) License. Find the songs at scottholmesmusic.com.

Jayne X Praxis (she/they) is many things — she's Buddhist and a tantric witch; she's an ordained minister and a Satanist; she's a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence and a licensed therapist — but above all, Jayne is forever becoming more and more their authentic self, and they invite you to do the same through curiosity, humor, and embodied self-exploration. Content Warning: swearing and sex talk; religious trauma; mentions of childhood sexual trauma. Click here for the episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00) Introducing Jayne (2:05) Growing up with a conservative minister father, anti-sex views; coming out as bisexual in college and engaging in gender-fuckery (6:30) Adding Jayne to their name, rolling it back after getting married, returning to gender fuckery and embracing nonbinary identity after divorce (12:49) Exploring spirituality: DnD; Wicca and paganism; ordination in the Universal Life Church; Shambhala Buddhism and embodiment (22:43) Tantric practices help Jayne recover her body, discover the connections between sexuality and gender (26:06) Resisting imposter syndrome to find political and spiritual meaning as a witch; discovering the magic in simply living as trans (34:22) The power in naming, sigils, storytelling; sex as spiritual; unlearning sexual shame (43:03) Satanism and Lucifer as queer rebel; shock can wake people up! (47:17) Sacred clowning: get people thinking by making them laugh; joining the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to spread joy and challenge guilt (1:06:00) Wrapping up: embrace authenticity and ask lots of questions ___ Visit Jayne's blog: https://paregoric.wordpress.com/ Jayne's Resource Recs: Becoming Dangerous: Witchy Femmes, Queer Conjurers, and Magical Rebels by Katie West and Jasmine Elliott (find⁠ here⁠) Witches, Sl-ts, Feminists: Conjuring the Sex Positive by Kristen J. Sollee (find ⁠here⁠) Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa (find ⁠here⁠) __ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Know No No-Nos" by Doctor Turtle

June was Queer Pride Month, July is Disability Pride Month, and that means it's the prime time of year for certain people to remind us that "pride is a sin, didn't you know?" So I called up my dear friend Laura, a fellow disabled trans Christian, to discuss how the kind of pride that marginalized communities use as an antidote to shame is not sinful, but indeed essential in our pursuit of justice and abundant life for all! Listen as Laura and I — interspersed with excerpts from Eli Clare's 1999 text Exile and Pride — contrast marginalized pride with nationalist, supremacist pride; explain why "awareness" and "acceptance" aren't enough; and emphasize the need to join pride with witness. Click here for an episode transcript. Hear more from Laura on their podcast, the Autistic Liberation Theology Podcast. Click here for their website of essays and biblical Playmobil art. Talking Points: (0:00) Intro to the topic, Laura, and Eli Clare's book (4:37) Disabled & queer pride as an antidote to internalized ableism (12:40) Why awareness & acceptance aren't enough (17:48) Pride in the essential gifts we bring (23:47) Pride as sin — opposite of humility vs. opposite of shame; "the last will be first" (34:50) We need to join pride with witness, remember our history and those we've lost (44:45) A Christianity we can be proud of? Reclaiming the cross; Autistic Jesus (52:00) Wrapping up — a final excerpt from Eli Clare ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "His Last Share of the Stars" and "I Snost, I Lost" by Doctor Turtle.

Matthew 25:31-46 is sometimes misused to preach hellfire & brimstone, but its focus is on compassion & community, mutual aid in the here & now. In this sermon, minister Avery Arden explores how the Divine identification with the world's outcasts has empowered disenfranchised Christians to envision Christ as Black, disabled, gay, trans, and more. Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00) Invitation to sign up for daily text prayers for July's Disability Pride Month; introduction to the sermon (4:00) Reading the Matthew 25 text (7:00) It's not about threatening or bribing us into good works; establishing this text's context (12:00) Moving beyond a focus on the individual to a communal focus: we are one big flock of sheep-goat hybrids, called to practice mutual aid! (18:49) Jesus's intimate identification with the outcasts; subverting the text's kingly imagery; Christ is Black, disabled, gay, trans (25:25) How do you experience Christ in your hunger, your suffering? ___ Resources for Disability Pride Month: Sign up for daily text prayers written by disabled people of faith here: https://mlp.salsalabs.org/july2023disabilitytextprayers/index.html Listen to episode 37, "No End to Transphobia without Uprooting Ableism" Check out my Disabled AND Blessed YouTube series Check out Laura's Autistic Liberation Theology podcast Masterpost of disability theology & ministry resources ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Reality Cartwheeled" and "The Ants Built a City on His Chest" by Doctor Turtle.

Água (they/them) shares the story of their lifelong relationship with Weelaunee Forest, whose leaves form the second half of the lungs that begin in Água's own body. After discussing the Stop Cop City movement's past and present, Água guides us through abolishing the cop in our own head; recognizing the interconnectedness and sacredness of all bodies; and breaking down binaries of "us" versus "them." Check out Água's own podcast, The Somatic Scribing Podcast, ⁠here or wherever you get podcasts⁠. Click here for an episode transcript. Click here for information about the call to gather at Atlanta City Hall on May 15. Find out about the new, nonviolence-focused Stop Cop City movement space here. Consider donating to the Atlanta Solidarity fund here. ____ Talking Points: (0:00) Call to action (2:10) Introducing Água: a queer, Chicanx, trans parent who's spent most of their life in Atlanta on Muscogee territory (7:10) Água's intimate relationship with Weelaunee Forest; burnout from organized activism that has little room for spirituality (14:54) Personal spiritual journey; the principles of healing an individual body can be used to heal communal bodies & cultures; the root of Cop City conflict is a disregard for the sacred of Black & Indigenous bodies and of the ecosystem (22:30) Where does abolition live inside your body? How do you remove the cop in your head? (26:45) Discussing current ongoing with Cop City — forest entry blocked, clear-cutting; history of the Atlanta Way (33:14) How and why to get involved (40:07) How queerness manifests as a liberation practice; nature is really gay; interconnectedness of all life (43:35) How do we break down binaries built from trauma in our activism? Rehabilitating ex-police? (50:44 - end) Água's closing blessing; Água's podcast ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Lullaby for Democracy" by Doctor Turtle.

For Shining Oak (she/her), activism and queerness have been catalysts for reconnecting to her Jewish faith. Learn about Shining Oak's experiences with the movement to Stop Cop City, from organizing a kid-friendly event for a 2021 Week of Action to attending a powerful Shabbat service in Atlanta's Weelaunee Forest. Click here for an episode transcript. Find out about the new, nonviolence-focused Stop Cop City movement space here. Consider donating to the Atlanta Solidarity fund here. Talking Points: (0:00) A new nonviolent movement space; introducing Shining Oak — queer Jewish forest defender (3:30) First week of action in spring 2021; organizing a kid-friendly event (9:10) Comparing then and now — larger numbers, more widespread, clearing begun (15:00) The power of a diverse movement — Jewish members, queer members, BIPOC members, and more (19:53) Shabbat in the forest (24:55) Growing up Jewish in a white Christian suburb — pressure to assimilate (30:45) Get involved with the movement in your own small way; honor Tortuguita's memory (36:20 - end) Wrapping up with a Jewish rabbi's story of Purim in the forest ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Ants Built a City on His Chest" by Doctor Turtle.

Learn about the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest through the stories of forest defenders for whom queerness and faith intertwine with activism. In this episode, Tov shares the dream that drew them to March's Week of Action, discusses Weelaunee's history and the environmental threat Cop City poses, and uplifts the power of humor in the face of police intimidation. Click here for an episode transcript. Support the fight to Stop Cop City by donating to the Stop the Swap lawsuit fundraiser, or to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. Click here for information about getting active this upcoming Earth Week, which is also Tortuguita's birth week. Tov's recs: a zine about Weelaunee Forest; another zine about the Atlanta City Prison Farm ___ Talking Points: (0:00 - 5:10) Intro: some history Weelaunee forest — millennia of Muscogee stewardship followed by colonialism, enslavement, and Black prison labor (5:11) Getting involved after getting informed; the power of a common cause (9:00) Tov's spirituality: a baby mystic who finds a lot of meaning in dreams, accountability to ancestral history (11:15) The dream that inspired Tov to attend March's Week of Action: Mother Earth imprisoned  (15:00) The healing power of community working towards a common goal; the threat of police intimidation (19:10) Tov's advice: get informed, look to movement elders, assess your risks, laugh at our enemies (27:20 - end) Wrapping up ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Lullaby for Democracy" by Doctor Turtle.

Coal (he/they) is organizing a solidarity group in Springfield, Illinois, for the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest and Stop Cop City. He understands that what happens in Atlanta will have wide-reaching impacts — from environmental devastation to the way such a huge, hyper-militarized police training facility would set a precedent for similar projects across the nation. In this second episode in the Stopping Cop City series, Avery deconstructs "outside agitator" rhetoric, while Coal offers their insights on how to support the movement from afar. Together, they also discuss trans intersections and the power behind being able to laugh at our oppressors. Check out Coal's Springfield Stop Cop City group @217dtaf on Instagram. Click here for an episode transcript. __ Talking Points: (0:00) Avery delves into the rhetoric of "outside agitators," and how it has been used to repress revolution in the US South from the pre-Civil War era, through the Civil Rights Movement, and now with Cop City. (6:35) Coal discusses his Springfield solidarity group and why everyone should care about the movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest (12:40) Finding out about the movement through music (14:33) Coal's visit to Atlanta for March's Week of Action — a concert derailed; protests with passion (18:30) Connections between the forest movement and movements for trans rights (22:24) Maintaining energy for the fight — self-care, camaraderie, the power of memes & humor (29:20 - end) Wrapping up — what's going on right now with forest clearing ___ Further reading: ⁠Click here for the article Coal recommended⁠ on how Cop City opposition has spread beyond Atlanta. ⁠For more on the history of rhetoric about "outside agitators," click here⁠. Finally, ⁠find ways you can help Stop Cop City here⁠. ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Beaconsfield Villas Stomp" by Doctor Turtle.

Learn about the Movement to Stop Cop City and Defend Atlanta's Forest through the stories of forest defenders for whom queerness and faith intertwine with activism. In this first episode, Siihasin describes their experiences as a Diné nádleehi, frontliner, and land defender. Siihasin was one of around 20 Indigenous two spirit persons invited to the latest Stop Cop City Week of Action to facilitate conversations around Indigenous sovereignty, land rights & protection, and Black liberation & solidarity. How can activist movements work to protect and center their most vulnerable members? Click here for an episode transcript. Click here for more information about the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest. Support the fight to Stop Cop City by donating to the Stop the Swap lawsuit fundraiser, or to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. __ Talking Points: (0:00 - 8:50) Avery offers a basic introduction to the Movement to Stop Cop City and Defend Atlanta's Weelaunee Forest. (8:51) Siihasin is a two spirit nádleehi of the Diné nation; invited to Weelaunee Forest to help facilitate conflict management among defenders (15:00) Navigating connection and tension — diversity of the forest defenders; Muscogee ceremonies surveilled by police (23:00) The Week of Action showcased a wide spectrum of action, from camping & skillsharing to youth marches — all recognizing that all forms of life are under attack from Cop City (25:38) What it's like to be Native while camping in the forest — targeted by police; remembering Tortuguita (32:30) The myth of “outside agitators”; recognizing Afro-Indigenous solidarity as central to all our liberation (41:32) What it means to be two spirit — an Indigenous umbrella term; targeted by colonizers (48:00) Siihasin's personal experience as a nádleehi centered on protecting their people — growing up problematized by Western medicine; learning they are not broken from Diné family (57:45) Intra-movement conflict management and respecting intersections is crucial to liberation This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Reality Cartwheeled" by Doctor Turtle.

The world is a scary place right now — particularly for trans people. Our youth are being targeted. Our bodily autonomy is under threat. We are made into scapegoats by extremists who want to eradicate us. In these tumultuous times, where is the hope? In this special episode, you'll hear from people of various genders and faith experiences about what keeps them going — from Higher Powers to the power of storytelling; and from friendship & solidarity to the natural world. Click here for an episode transcript. Talking points: (0:00) Complicating hope — not to be confused with toxic positivity, and not at odds with hopelessness (4:30) Naiomi Gonzalez (she/they): hope in lamentation and bringing fears & pain to God (10:40) Avery (they/ze): hoping against hope that Cop City will never be built (15:29) Amir (he/him): chronic pain & the power of a friend who shares your experience (17:05) K Kriesel: (they/them): When an old support system ceases to support you — K's journey from white feminism into “the chaos of the physical world” (20:50) Avery: the power of rallies – even when they “fail” (24:40) Eric Sharp (he/him) rewatches The Good Place for encouragement and reminders that there are no easy answers (28:12 - 34:22) Rosie's (she/her) temple is nature and scripture is poetry; ending with “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith __ Where to find some of this episode's guests: - Naoimi Gonzalez is on Instagram and Substack @faithfullyradicalchristian, on Tiktok @faithfullyradical, on Twitter @faithfullyradi1. - K Kriesel is at kkriesel.com and on Instagram and Facebook @kkrieselart. Click here for K's Google Doc of Nonbinary spiritual resources. Listen to episode 65 for a full conversation with K. - Eric Sharp practices therapy at Best Life Mental Health Services in Louisville, Kentucky. Listen to episode 53 for a full conversation with Eric. — Learn about and Support the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest & Stop Cop City: - https://defendtheatlantaforest.org/ - This Twitter thread contains basic 101 in the form of shareable infographics. - The Atlanta Solidarity Fund helps pay for lawyers and bail for arrested defenders. __ Blessed  Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Encouragement Stick" and "Reality Cartwheeled" by Doctor Turtle.

In the anti-trans flood, I don't want my anger and hurt to wither into bitterness; I want to channel it into planting a garden of trans joy, queer rest, intersectional justice. Click here for the episode transcript. Content warning: anti-trans rhetoric & legislation, swearing. Talking points: (0:00 - 2:07) Garden dreams (2:08) The frustrations of seeking healthcare while trans; finding trans joy where it is (5:43) Despair over Tennessee's anti-drag bill; hope in the defiance of drag performers like Bella DuBalle (12:42 - end) We will resist — but I dream of rest. How do each play our part in cultivating rest and wholeness for all? _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Beaconsfield Villas Stomp" and "The Ants Built a City on His Chest" by Doctor Turtle.

In saying yes to bearing God Themself outside of marriage, Mary said yes to disgrace in the eyes of the world — not unlike the rejection LGBTQA+ persons can face when we accept God's call to live into our full, beautiful, queer selves. In this short story from Squirrel House Publishing's 2021 anthology Reconstructing Christmas, the Mother of God emboldens a nonbinary college student to take a courageous step. Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: - 0:00 - Exploring the queerness of Mary in Luke 1, as well as in her apparitions to marginalized persons across the ages - 9:50 - "Joe and Our Lady Defiant" — short story reading _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Let's Just Get through Christmas" by Doctor Turtle.

K Kriesel (they/them or she/her) is not afraid of "messy," with a spiritual life that blends Catholicism and Wicca, and holds space for time adrift. K has broken away from a variety of groups that proved too limiting to uplift the most marginalized, including any feminism that prioritizes white, cis women. As they search for a spiritual community built with people like them in mind, K serves as a chaplain and creates the kind of queer Catholic art they want to see in the world. You can contact K and view their work at kkriesel.com or @kkrieselart on Instagram or Facebook. Click here for an episode transcript. Click here for K's Google Doc of Nonbinary spiritual resources. Talking Points: 0:00 - Intro material 4:01 - K's youth: moving from an abusive Catholicism to a more open version, with room for Wicca 9:34 - Studying feminist & queer theologies; grappling with the limitations of feminism — too white, cis, upper class 21:42 - K's gender journey — comfort characters as a kid; claiming lesbian as their gender 25:07 - Coming out, and breaking away from spiritual community until they can find one that's been structurally non-gendered from the start 27:51 - Experiences as a nonbinary chaplain — including some advantages to being openly queer 38:34 - Time for Catholic griping! Disillusionment with feminist Catholic organizations for prioritizing white, cis women 48:48 - And yet...the things K still cherishes about Catholicism — not the bureaucracy, but the traditions 58:54 - K's art! Family support; creating the queer Catholic art they want to see in the world _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Encouragement Stick" by Doctor Turtle.

After growing up Southern Baptist and pressured to conform to gender norms, it took time for Ynza Morgan Star (she/her & zey/zeir) to live fully into her genderqueer, agnostic, pagan, game designer self. In this episode, Ynza shares how neurodivergence and the power of story have shaped her journey; how zey crafted zeir own name; how zey joined zeir local Unitarian Universalist fellowship; and so much more! Content warnings: lots of discussion about conservative Christianity and transphobia, including the intense policing of a child's self-expression. There are also brief mentions of dementia and parent death. Click here for the episode transcript, which includes links with info on various discussion points throughout. Talking Points: 0:00 - Intro, including Avery's visit to Ynza's UU fellowship 6:54 - Overview – gaming, pagan-inclined Unitarian, didn't realize trans till 40s 18:20 - Earliest memories – gender policed by adults; refuge in stories with gender transformation 23:56 - The Oz stories – queer is “the good kind of weird” 27:50 - Cognitive dissonance in Southern Baptist beliefs; witnessing the radicalization of conservative Christians 35:25 - From Republican to Democrat, while wrestling with the two-part system 38:28 - Protected by neurodivergence that rejected the idea of being broken, couldn't accept the cognitive dissonance 46:45 - Coming out to parents as pagan; years later, coming out to them as trans & a lesbian — very mixed reactions 57:40 - Name change! Crafting a new first name; keeping middle name; finding a meaningful last name 1:11:40 - Wrestling with the idea of Christianity being viable for queer folk 1:18:38 - The beautiful broadness of the term transgender; should we bring back the term transsexual too? 1:24:16 - Wrapping up with some recommendations: Whipping Girl by Julia Serrano; Dr. Roger Ray's Progressive Faith sermons; the Best of the Left podcast; and the Making Gay History and One from the Vaults podcasts _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Gold Beamer" by Mother Hood.

This episode is a slightly abridged version of part 1 of the Neuroqueer Joseph series over on The Autistic Liberation Theology podcast. Be sure to visit Laura's podcast for parts 2 & 3 once you've finished this episode! My friend Laura and I explore all the queer + autistic elements of Joseph's story, starting with Genesis 37. Joseph wears makeup and the colorful dress of a princess, toe-walks, and dreams dreams that threaten the status quo — a queer and neurodivergent figure if there ever was one! Why did Joseph's world — and why does ours — view such a person as threatening? What gifts do neuroqueer folk bring to their communities when empowered to do so? Content warnings: discussions of transphobia & anti-autistic ableism, bullying, familial violence, hate crimes. Click here for an episode transcript. ______ Timestamps: (0:00) Introducing the episode (4:24) Introducing Joseph of Genesis, term "neuroqueer" (9:00) Rabbi Ruttenberg's article; Midrash about Joseph & Dinah (12:05) Genesis 37:1-11 & Joseph's neuroqueerness — Joseph's coat; Joseph as "na'ar" or youth; naivety, dreams... (27:31) Genesis 37:12-36 & Why the brothers can't tolerate Joseph — the danger of dreams to toxic masculinity, primogeniture (39:45) Being visibly neurodivergent or queer is dangerous; passing or hiding yourself; Joseph's toe-walking (44:00) "Flavors" of violence in this story — macho escalation; Jacob as fair-weather ally; transgenerational traumas (49:45) Wrapping up; last bonus clip — Joseph was a hottie who wasn't attracted to women _______ Further Reading: - Article: "(Gender)queering Joseph" by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg - Book: Was Joseph on the Spectrum? - Sermon: "Joseph Comes Out — Genderqueer Thriving, Reconciliation, and Centering the Margins" - Webpage of articles about trans Bible figures, including Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph - Sermon: "Jacob and Esau — Imagining beyond Ourselves" - Podcast ep on Rebecca: "Gender Diversity Pre-patriarchy" _____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Dreamer" and "Theme 1" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

Avery reads more passages from Leslie Feinberg's 1996 work Transgender Warriors — this time ones that respond to the same tired arguments people have been making against the trans community for decades now. How do you respond when someone insists that women's spaces shouldn't include trans women, that drag queens make a mockery of femininity, that trans women have male privilege? Feinberg offered concise, helpful answers years ago that can help us continue the good fight today. Click here for an episode transcript, which contains source links. Talking Points: (0:00 - 4:30) Call for stories + introducing the topic (4:31 - 10:14) Resisting biological essentialism when defining womanhood – "biology is not destiny"; no universal experience (10:15 - 13:14) Masculinity isn't inherently toxic + drag queens don't make a mockery of womanhood (13:15 - 20:23) Do trans women have male privilege? — Laverne Cox's view + Feinberg's additions (20:24 - 25:14) Making women's spaces safe for all women — there are no high-risk groups, only high-risk behaviors (25:15 - end) How anti-trans rhetoric harms everyone and the need for solidarity _____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Gold Beamer," "Can't Find," and "Lately" by Mother Hood.

Avery reads excerpts from Leslie Feinberg's Transgender Warriors. Though the book was first published in 1996, the history it relates could not be more pertinent. In the shared passages, Feinberg emphasizes how we must not only demand and win but also defend our human rights. The fight isn't over until systems that deny us our rights are also overthrown, and every single person is free. Click here for an episode transcript. You can read Transgender Warriors for free online. Talking points: (0:00 - 4:48) Introducing Leslie Feinberg and Transgender Warriors (4:49 - 15:42) Resisting divide-and-conquer tactics, fighting to win and keep trans rights and all rights 15:43 - end) Wrapping up — send Avery your thoughts, fears, responses to current events

UCC pastor Rev. Krissy imagines a Body of Christ that moves beyond the institutional Church. We are called to confront corruption and power, and to unite in solidarity with all who work towards liberation. This is a bonus clip from a larger conversation; check out episode 54 — “Coming Back to Life: Rev. Krissy is a Politically Queer UCC Pastor" — for more of Krissy's story and wisdom. Find Krissy at rev-krissy.tumblr.com; or visit their church website: www.epiphanyucc.org Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00 - 3:45) Intro material (3:46 - 7:30) Pushing congregations to reimagine belonging — uncertainty is welcome; all who will work with us for liberation are welcome (7:31 - 12:40) "You want to know why people are leaving the church?" — church as an institution isn't what matters (12:41 - end) Resisting fundamentalism, literalism, and biblical translations that uphold empire ______ FURTHER READING - Interfaith Worker Justice - "Labor Rights in the Jewish Tradition" - “What is biblical inerrancy? What does it mean to say the Bible is literally true?” - "American Christianity's White Supremacy Problem" ______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Gold Beamer" and "Can't Find" by Mother Hood.

In Jesus, God rose with wounds that would have impaired his mobility and fine motor skills. In John 20, Jesus allows his disciples to gaze at his impaired body, and even lets Thomas touch his wounds. Let's explore how this story connects to the complications of marginalized bodies being put on display for public consumption — of being made into a spectacle. Is it possible for marginalized persons to have any agency in how our bodies are viewed and interpreted? How does Jesus model possibility for his disciples, similar to what Laverne Cox calls trans possibility models? How have marginalized persons identified with the wounded Christ across the centuries? Content Warning: brief, undetailed mentions of hate crimes, transphobia, ableism, antiblackness, fatphobia ___ Part of this episode explores an art piece by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin — a photograph of Jesus with top surgery scars — that you can view here. Or view it and other images, with image descriptions, in the episode transcript. The episode also draws from S. Bear Bergman's 2021 article "Please Come and Be Fat." The episode ends with Rebekah Anderson's meditation "The Body of God." A previous episode of this podcast also delves into the John 20 story of Jesus and Thomas through a trans and disabled lens — episode 40, "Goodness Embodied: An Intersex, Nonbinary First Human and a Disabled Risen Christ." If you want to watch the sermon that this ep is based off of, visit here. ___ TALKING POINTS: (0:00 - 3:36) - Introducing the topic: based off a sermon; Jesus's disabling wounds & marginalized bodies as spectacle (3:37 - 6:30) - Affirmation of Faith in God the seamstress, the wounded Christ (6:31 - 9:59) Introducing & reading John 20:19-29 (10:00 - 15:59) Identifying our experiences with Christ's — medieval labor pains; Jesus with top surgery scars (16:00 - 21:52) - Possibility models: proving it's possible to be trans and successful & happy; Jesus proving there is life after suffering & death (21:53 - 23:51) - Jesus on the cross was forced to be a spectacle; the resurrected Jesus has regained his agency, chooses to share his wounds (23:52 - 26:10) - "Blessed are those who haven't seen and believe" — parallel with a friend's chronic illness & being believed (26:11 - 29:18) - risking vulnerability — visibility politics in trans & disabled communities (29:19 - 33:48) - The risen wounded Christ proves once and for all that what the world calls shameful & broken is not incompatible with the divine (33:49 - end) - "Imagine the body of God...God has every ability, and every disability in the world" ___ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Magnified Pod, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode includes clips from “Dreamer,” “Theme 9,” and “Mod 5,” by Jeremy SH Griffith; as well as "Can't Find" by Mother Hood.

Now are the days that God lies dead — the God who, in dying, expressed ultimate solidarity with all who have been unjustly killed across the ages. Let's explore how various queer theologians between 1993 & 2006 — plus some trans poets more recently — have connected Jesus's Passion, death & burial, and resurrection to LGBTQ experiences. CONTENT WARNING: graphic depictions of hate crimes, including the murders of Matthew Shepard & a (fictional) Argentinian trans woman; deaths of gay men with AIDS; uses of dated LGBTQ+ language; mentions of religious homophobia Click here for an episode transcript (works cited at the end). Avery invites you to check out their YouTube video exploring theologies of the cross; and to revisit last year's Good Friday and Easter eps: they're episodes 39 and 40 here. Talking Points: - (0:00 - 4:35) Intro: different theologies of the cross; connecting Jesus' Passion to contemporary LGBTQ experiences - (4:36 - 6:01) A poem on the cross by Slats Toole - (6:02 - 10:30) Queering the Beloved Disciple - Robert E. Goss - (10:31 - 12:17) Poem by Keaton St. James: “A Portrait of John at the Last Supper” - (12:18 - 16:59) Maxwell Lawton's 1993 painting “Man of Sorrows: Christ with AIDS” - (17: 00 - 20:59) Jesus & Matthew Shepard: Redemption comes in what comes after - (21:00 - 27:39) The cross as solidarity; Avery's poem “Your death was nothing special” - (27:40 - 37:46) Blamed for their own deaths: Jesus & LGBTQ+ Argentinians - Marcella Althaus-Reid - (37:47 - ) Lingering over Holy Saturday; Avery's poem - (42:10 - 48:28) Easter - Jesus comes out; God's queer surprise – Thomas Bohache & Goss - (48:29 - end) “Gay Angels?” Rolling back the stone - Rev. Nancy Wilson & Rev. Daniel Smith _____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode includes clips from “Dreamer,” “Theme 1,” “Theme 6,” “Mod 4,” “Dreams,” “Mod 5,” “Camilla,” and “Theme 3” by Jeremy SH Griffith. “The Circles I Went Round In” and “Beaconsfield Villas Stomp” by Doctor Turtle are also used.

For Holy Week, Avery joined Laura Sommer on their Autistic Liberation Theology Podcast to discuss two Gospel stories through a disability theology lens — with some trans theology sprinkled in: John 12's account of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus; and Mark 14's telling of Jesus' Agony in the Garden. Our world does not teach us how to face discomfort and pain healthily: we avoid, dismiss, or deny it; or we blame the one suffering; or we jump to action even when there are no easy fixes. In Bethany, Mary teaches us the art of simple affirmation and tenderness in the face of another's suffering. In Gethsemane, Jesus shows us the power in taking time to lament, to complain, to rage, to question — to feel whatever emotions come — when we are the ones in pain. Read along with the episode transcript here. For the unabridged episode, listen on Laura's podcast here, where the episode is titled "The Gethsemane of things." Talking Points: - (0:00 - 4:52) Introducing the topics – making space with Jesus for fear and grief; chronic pain - (3:22 - 9:33) First story: John 12:1-8 — reading; discussing Judas – it's fine to ask questions - (9:34 - 13:53) Hierarchy of luxury — judging the spending of poor & disabled persons, activists - (13:54 - 15:31) Mary had to use oil on Lazarus' body not long before; now she can use it on Jesus while he's still alive to appreciate it — Trans message: “Give us our roses while we're here” - (15:32 - 17:19) Avoiding inspiration porn; diluting people's message after their death — MLK, Jesus - (17:20 - 24:29) Mary affirms Jesus's identity and mission when no one else does — versus avoiding, blaming, denying, or trying to fix disabled persons' pain; our culture doesn't teach us how deal with discomfort - (24:30 - 28:20) The oil will follow Jesus through his suffering; comfort to Mary as well; it's hard to feel helpless as the person suffering or the person watching that suffering - (28:21 - 33:49) Second story: Mark 14's Gethsemane story; comparing the disciples' sleep to coping with reality by shutting our eyes - (33:50 - 40:38) Jesus took the time and space to sit with his grief; disabled people deserve to grieve their own experiences without it “betraying the cause” — allowed to camp a while in the Gethsemane of things - (40:39 - 42:40) Community members who affirm your experience make all the difference; it makes sense that it's the women who “get” Jesus because they know what it's like to have their pain & reality dismissed - (42:41 - end) Wrapping up __________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. Other music used in this episode: "Mod 4" and "Mod 5" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

Avery brings their wife on to reminisce about Avery's name journey — from picking out Avery several years ago, to choosing new middle & last names in time for the legal name change process. Why is that process so dang complicated and expensive? Why was "Banana" ever on the table for surname options? How does Avery honor their family & faith roots with their new name? And what do Avery, Cher, & Sasquatch all have in common?? Listen — or read along with the episode transcript — to find out! Talking points: (0:00 - 7:11) Introducing Leah, Avery's new full name; discussing Avery's nicknames growing up (7:12 - 10:20) When a family member chooses a new name; advice for any parents about their kids' names (10:21 - 20:27) Picking the name Avery, process of telling it to Leah, family, church, teachers (20:28 - 24:45) Picking a new last name (Banana??!) (24:46 - 30:16) Why Raphael for a middle name — archangel, name of Avery's church growing up (30:17 - 37:16) A little rant about deadnames getting shared on school rosters, doctors' offices — a deadname is like a haunting (37:17 - 45:37) The legal process! Announcing your petition for name change in the paper like it's the Old West; waiting on clerks and judges — who can choose to make it even harder on you if they want to be jerks (45:38 - 49:15) More on the name Arden — from Shakespeare's play As You Like It, where the Forest Arden is a place for gender hijinks and freedom from social norms (49:16 - end) Wrapping up — Leah's incredible sign-off ——— Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.

In O Beautiful Dust, RW Walker explores what difference traditional, queer, and Christ-centred common prayer might make in a chaotic and divided world. Avery had the honor of narrating the audiobook put out by Squirrel House Publishing — and they're offering A FREE COPY of that audiobook to the first 10 people to email them for it! Listen to the episode (or read along in the transcript) for more details. In this episode, Avery shares 6 of the over 40 prayers contained in O Beautiful Dust — and offers some cultural context behind one of those pieces, which explores the story of the gender non-conforming water bearer to whom Jesus sends his disciples shortly before the Last Supper. Visit https://obeautifuldust.carrd.co/ for all the links for where to purchase RW Walker's book, as well as for info about the author, narrator, and publisher. (This page is still being updated as more purchasing links go live in the coming days.) And if you want to watch Peterson Toscano's film Transfigurations: Gender Outlaws in the Bible, click here! Talking Points: (0:00 - 2:13) Baha'i fast & Christian Lent (2:14 - 7:10) Introducing RW Walker and his book, O Beautiful Dust; Avery as narrator of the audiobook (7:11 - 12:47) Historical context for the first poem — the gender nonconforming water bearer of the synoptic Gospels (12:48 - 14:00) Poem 1: "Carrying Water" (14:01 - 16:05) Poem 2: "God's Reputation" (16:06 - 17:22) Poem 3: "My Delight Is in You" (17:23 - 19:15) Poem 4: "Help Us to Be Wise" (19:16 - 20:50) Poem 5: "When I Grow Up" (20:51 - 22:32) Poem 6: "Jesus, Be with My People" (22:33 - end) Wrapping up

Like Lazarus resurrected by Jesus, Rev. Krissy has moved from a stifling tomb — a church where they could not be openly queer & politically active — into the abundant life of authentic self and fighting for the liberation of all. Krissy is a pastor and chaplain in the United Church of Christ who loves their supportive spouse, children, and church; and who sees a message of good news for all whom the world calls shameful in the parable of the father with two sons (i.e. the parable of the prodigal son). Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00 - 4:54) Introducing Krissy — UCC pastor and chaplain in St. Louis (4:55 - 8:36) Krissy's family: a supportive spouse who doesn't get gender in general; supportive adult children (8:37 - 11:08) The United Church of Christ: variety of beliefs; full participation of neurodivergent persons & people with mental illness (11:09 - 14:50) Past work at a conservative suburban church where they couldn't be out; seminary friend who affirmed Krissy's queerness (14:51 - 18:22) Lazarus coming back to life; Krissy coming back to life with a queer-affirming, social justice oriented congregation (18:23 - 21:03) Made for freedom vs. constricting pulpits & gender boxes (21:04 - 29:06) "Queer" as a radical liberationist term; "slurs" are our shields & power sources; passing unnecessary (29-07 - 38:32) More on Krissy's ministry: chaplain for children with trauma; politically active church (38:33 - 43:21) Encouragement in a messy, suffering world (43:22 - 51:16) The parable of the man with two sons (i.e. the prodigal son) — letting go of social cleanliness & honor (51:17 - 54:11) "It's about coming back to life" – the good news in Christianity for oppressed peoples (54:12 - end) Breaking down barriers, drawing the circle wider Find Krissy at rev-krissy.tumblr.com; or visit their church website: www.epiphanyucc.org ______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Gold Beamer" by Mother Hood.

I sit down with my fellow seminary grad Eric Sharp (degree in Marriage & Family Therapy) for the story of how he came to call himself a Pluralist Agnostic who draws from Womanism and Postmodernism. On the way, we also discuss: the power of swearing and of playfulness; appreciating many truths in place of one Big Truth; and bringing healing into a broken world — with plenty of laughter as we go. Click here for an episode transcript. Content Warning: swearing; discussions of mental illness, addiction, and suicide ideation; of abuse and neglect and trauma, including among children; of sex; and mentions of the Holocaust, hell, and religious homophobia Talking Points: (0:00 - 8:00) Introducing Eric: Systemic therapist; cis, white, with gay as his "teeny-tiny window of oppression" (8:01 - 14:25) Eric's childhood: crushing on his best friend & on Jesus; pressure to choose between gay and God; lonely (14:26 - 18:20) Meeting our spouses; Eric's college experience — befriending atheists who seem to live love better than his Christian friends (18:21 - 21:52) "I love swearing!"; post-college therapy jobs (21:53 - 27:01) Entering seminary as openly gay & agnostic; one problem of agnosticism: "I didn't know how to claim what I knew" (27:02 - 29:14) Basing therapy interventions in processes of love, affirmation, community; suicide prevention must go beyond hotlines (29:15 - 34:36) A class on "Biblical Interpretation after the Holocaust"; believing you have The Truth is dangerous — many truths, many ways (34:36 - 41:10) ACES and counter-ACES — the power of one safe, caring adult, and of playfulness (41:11 - 48:26) The Good Place as a sacred text; "The Story of the Seven Blind Mice" — agnosticism (48:27 - 54:16) Heaven and hell are here on earth — we can reduce the hell and cultivate heaven; breaking down isolation & scarcity (54:17 - 59:20) No broken people; divinely created people dropped in a broken world, injured but capable of bringing healing (59:21 - end) Wrapping up — send me feedback & ideas! Eric practices therapy at Best Life Mental Health Services in Louisville, Kentucky. ______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bubble & Squeak, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Gold Beamer" by Mother Hood; as well as a brief clip from The Good Place.

Sometimes the stories we think we know by heart are the ones most worth revisiting, and examining from new angles. In this episode, Avery focuses on a version of the Nativity that will likely be new to many of you: one in which the Greek of Luke 2:7 is translated differently to imply that Jesus was not born in a stable because Bethlehem's inn was full up, but rather was born right in the heart of a peasant home. As they explore the Nativity from different angles, Avery shares several poems that invite the reader into various versions of Jesus's birth, familiar and unfamiliar alike. Their hope is to help us all learn how to embrace the beads of truth within each different telling of the tale, discovering how contradiction need not mean conflict. Click here for an episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00 - 7:46) Introducing versions of the Nativity story — listening for what's actually in Luke 2 (7:47 - 11:18) Questioning the Greek word kataluma in Luke 2:7 — an inn, or a guest room? (11:19 - 19:15) Cultural context: Joseph's ties to Bethlehem; hospitality; the layout of an ancient Judean home (19:16 - 21:50) Poem 1: "the in-laws you acquaint yourself with first...are in-law hen and cow..." (21:51 - 26:19) Reading this "new" version through a liberationist lens: emphasizing hospitality; celebrating the generosity of Jesus's fellow poor (26:20 - 28:42) Poem 2: Jesus does not wait for us in his designated corner — he bursts into our bustling, compels us to make room in our mundane mess (29:42 - 31:52) Closing thoughts on why all this matters (31:53 - end) Poem 3: "Nativity Beads" — rosary meditations; 5 versions, all pregnant with a little bead of truth

I was honored to be invited onto Kings and Queens, a podcast hosted by Joseph & Nicole Peterson, to talk about Jesus through a trans lens! The full episode is over on their podcast and includes more of my own personal story as well. For more about the Petersons, visit www.thepetersons.cc. For a transcript of this episode, click here. Talking Points: (0:00 - 3:30) Intro (3:30 - 11:28) Pastoring people into conversations about trans Jesus — why does the idea shock or offend many people? Normativity conflated with morality (11:29 - 14:18) Ideas of gender in Jesus's time and place; Jesus's gender nonconformity: no wife and kids; Mother Hen (14:19 - 19:35) Jesus closeted, coming out; his deep desire to be known by those he loves (19:36 - 23:40) Eunuch Jesus! — happily accepts association with those his world called sexually deviant; reclaiming slurs like eunuch or queer (23:41 - end) Jesus's transition story: genderless divinity entering finite humanity, assigned male at birth Further Reading: - blessedarethebinarybreakers.com/nt — "Assigned Male at Incarnation: An Intersex and Transgender Jesus" - https://blessedarethebinarybreakers.tumblr.com/tagged/trans+jesus — varied posts about Jesus being trans - Ep 40 of this podcast — "Goodness Embodied: An Intersex, Nonbinary First Human & a Disabled Risen Christ" - Ep 32 of this podcast — "A Queer Nativity: God's transition; Mary's trans-gressive yes; and Joseph's trans-formation into an ally" - Some of Avery's liturgy and poetry that speaks to a transgender Jesus — https://binarybreakingliturgy.com/?s=trans+jesus - Short sermon on trans Jesus — https://a-queer-seminarian.tumblr.com/post/166432404438/i-was-happy-to-be-part-of-this-years-lpts-more - Chris Paige's book OtherWise Christian ____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.

Let's hear some stories from various people — trans & cis, Jewish, Christian, & Sikh — about how gender, faith, and culture have played a role in the names they use. How do names isolate us, or connect us; harm us, or heal us? And what does religion teach us about honoring one another's chosen names? Click here for the episode transcript. Talking Points: (0:00 - 6:40) Introducing the topic; part of Avery's own experience (6:41 - 9:45) Judaism: biblical name changes, honoring new names (9:46 - 18:03) Eli's story: how the prophet Elijah helped Eli choose their name (18:04 - 22:36) Adrian's story: finding the right name; "dark richness" (22:37 - 26:19) Mychel Vandover's story: a renaming ceremony in a supportive church (26:20 - 30:16) Name changes in religious orders: Buddhism & Catholicism (30:17 - 33:40) Sister Jean Ann's story: how a nun got her name (33:41 - 39:14) Khalsa names in Sikhi: names that remove caste & resist injustice (39:15 - 48:21) Pauahi's story: a fiery name binding her to her Hawaiian lineage & activism (48:22 - end) Wrapping up: more stories to come! _____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Brown Suga Diaries, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Mod 4" and "Dreamer" by Jeremy SH Griffith; as well as Rabbi Ahuva Zache's version of "Eliyahu Hanavi" at The YouTube Rabbi.

A clip from a full episode of Laura Sommer's Autistic Liberation Theology podcast in which Avery and Laura discuss John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. The two friends connect John's joyful leaping in the womb to Laura's coined term "magnAUtism" — the way autistic persons are drawn to and connect with one another. They also discuss how Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah are impacted by the autistic joy & defiance of their children even before and just after birth — especially how Zechariah's insistence "his name is John" makes him a patron saint of the parents of trans children today. Episode transcript. Content Warning: brief discussion of ableist violence, antiblack violence. Talking Points: (0:00 - 9:14) Introducing the topic; MagnAUtism, "autistic oxygen" (9:15 - 15:17) Autistic gifts to the whole community: joy, defiance, questioning the status quo (15:18 - 18:04) The wrong and right ways to react to an autistic child — "be your child's first ally, not their first bully" (18:05 - 25:02) "His name is John!" Zechariah as patron saint of parents of trans kids (25:03 - 29:20) Autistic John the Baptist (29:21 - end) Wrapping up __ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.

The spiritual landscape of nineteenth-century rural Russia blended native traditions and beliefs with Christianity; this is the world in which Black Book, an independent video game produced by Russian studio Morteshka, is set. In this episode, Avery shares some of what Black Book taught them about this syncretism of belief (without spoiling the game, don't worry!). Then, they bring in Leslie Feinberg's 1996 text Transgender Warriors to discuss similar tensions between indigenous and Christian traditions in medieval Western Europe. What happened to other gods and spirits after the rise of Christianity? How did sorcerers like Black Book's young woman protagonist navigate this spiritual blend as they either helped or cursed the peasants who both revered and feared them for their knowledge? What's all this got to do with trans folk? Read along with the episode transcript here. _______ Talking Points: (0:00 - 3:50) Introducing Black Book: playing as Vasilisa, a young sorceress in a world where people believe both in Christian and pagan teachings (3:51 - 10:50) Gods become demons; old rituals take on Christian elements; icons & feast days blend Christian & pagan traditions (10:51 - 13:16) Sorcerers and knowers — both revered and feared; tension between them and Christian priests (13:17 - 21:01) Moving westward and back in time to Feudal Europe: similar tension between Christianity and native religions; transgender expression targeted (21:02 - end) Wrapping up _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.

Brigid's intimate relationship with a fellow nun is not the only queer thing about her — her story also transcends any one religion, period, or place. How did a Celtic deity of forge and hearth transition into a fifth-century Catholic nun? How did devotion to Saint Brigid extend from Irish immigrants to enslaved Africans in Haiti and New Orleans? This mysterious figure revels in interweaving apparent opposites, in justice for outcasts, and in...a heavenly lake of beer?? For devotees of many faiths, Brigid's perpetual flame continues to light the way to wisdom and holy joy. Find the episode transcript here. Talking Points: (0:00 - 6:00) Syncretism: the merging of multiple cultures and beliefs; introducing Brigid (6:01 - 10:25) Brigid the Celtic Goddess — artist, warrior, and healer; three-in-one according to Celtic Imagination (10:25 - 21:25) Brigid the Catholic abbess — a miraculous cloak, a miraculous abortion, and heaven's lake of beer (21:26 - 25:59) Darlughdach, sapphic soul-friend; Brigid's syncretic festival and cross (26:00 - 30:34) The perpetual flame at Kildare and global orders of flamekeepers (30:35 - 34:25) Maman Brigitte, Voodoo Lwa of death (34:26 - 38:05) Wrapping up: drawing close to Brigid the binary breaker ______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Mod 4" and "Mod 5" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

Despite growing up in a heavily conservative Christian town, Azura Rose (they/she) was raised by parents who encouraged them to ask questions and explore religion on their own. They are now a Satanist in Toronto, as well as a cosplayer & sex worker. In this episode, Azura discusses the beliefs & activism of The Satanic Temple, as well as what it's like to be a queer, goth, disabled sex worker. Listen (or read along with the episode transcript) to find out what Satan & Jesus have in common; what was up with all the backlash around Lil Nas X's single Montero; how some of Azura's clients have supported them on their gender journey; and much more. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse; bullying & religious trauma + threats of hell; mention of grandparent deaths ______ Talking Points: (0:00 - 2:30) Housekeeping (2:31 - 5:11) Introducing Azura (5:12 - 10:10) Growing up — bullied for not being Christian; supportive parents; discovering Wicca and Satanism, Lilith & Lucifer (10:11 - 12:35) Explaining differences between the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple (TST) (12:36 - 15:19) Who is Satan for Satanists? — An archetype embodying rebellion against unjust authority; Satanists are atheistic (15:20 - 18:28) Why TST has a large number of queer & neurodivergent members; parallels between Christian elements & Satanism (18:29 - 20:59) Backlash Lil Nas X (21:00 - 25:36) The Satanic Panic of the 1980s-90s — originated in Canada; the McMartin Preschool Trial (25:37 - 29:43) TST's political activism — reproductive rights, religious rights — more complex in Canada, where TST isn't an official religion (29:44 - 36:06) How TST's tenets speak to Azura as a sex worker & trans person — "our body is subject to our will alone" (36:07- 48:59) More about TST: meetups; non-binary interpretations of Baphomet, Lilith, and Lucifer (49:00 - 55:51) What it's like to be genderfluid and a sex worker — supportive clients (55:22 - 1:02:48) Closing thoughts: other people's thoughts about your gender or faith don't matter; the need for rights and resources; when seeking to learn about Satanism or sex work, find people who are similar to you and different from you ______ Find Azura on Twitter @hellcatazura and at hellcatazura.rip. Learn more about The Satanic Temple at thesatanictemple.com/pages/about-us Resources for supporting sex workers: - https://decriminalizesex.work/ - Human Rights Watch: "Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalized" - The Sex Workers Project ______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Sacred Tension, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Camilla" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

Neville and Avery talk about the weird Renaissance tendency to depict babies as small men; how stereotypes about cuckolded husbands influenced artists' depictions of Joseph; why the Church was so scandalized by Caravaggio's sex worker Madonnas AND the presence of dirty feet on Saints and pilgrims; and more. As you listen, Avery invites you to ponder: what is considered decent and moral in your own time and place, and why? For a larger conversation with Neville in which they discuss being an Australian queer Catholic who both studies and creates art, look back to episode 38: "Finding the Power in Our Queerness and Rebellion in Our Love." For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com. Avery invites you to learn how to be an ally to sex workers through resources like this one. And here is the link to their conversation with a friend on Cain, Abel, and disability that they promote at the start of this ep! Talking points: (0:00 - 5:56) Introducing the episode + promotion of "Abel-ism" ep (5:57 - 8:52) What is a baby, a small man? — cultural context (8:53 - 12:13) Joseph's "glow-up" in art from an older "cuckold" to a good stepdad — how stereotypes influence art (12:14 - 15:27) Depicting Jesus and other biblical figures as white, dressed in contemporary clothes (15:28 - 20:24) Caravaggio's sex worker & child who modeled as Madonna & child — reflecting on purity stigmas (20:25 - 23:08) Queer reflections on the rules against "imperfections" and what counts as a holy body — God created us to experience change (23:09 - end) Linear perspective avoided as "deception" until Da Vinci could show it could be "religious" _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bubble & Squeak, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.

This episode is a sharing of an episode that first aired on the Bible Bash Podcast on November 30, 2020. Check out more from Bible Bash at https://biblebashpodcast.com/. By taking on Hosea 11:9, Avery Smith cracks open a rich discussion with Bible Bash co-hosts Liam Hooper and Peterson Toscano. Avery writes: “I interpret God's declaration 'For I am God and not a man' in Hosea 11:9 as, among other things, evidence of Their rejection of being assigned a human gender and the roles implied therein.” Could God be making a declaration of gender? What is Hosea the prophet trying to do and say to the people? And what about God's radical swings from tenderness to threats of violence? In addition to covering these topics and more, Avery highlights best practices for ministers and places of worship when addressing non-binary people by name and pronoun. The entire conversation is fresh, insightful, and a lot of fun. ____ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as the Bible Bash Podcast, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.

Avery was delighted to be on their friend Laura's Autistic Liberation Theology podcast; this episode features a clip from a longer conversation on "Toxic Mask-ulinity" that you can listen to at anchor.fm/laura-sommer. In this clip, Laura introduces the concept of autistic masking — concealing parts or all of yourself in order to survive in an allistic (non-autistic) world — and relates it to similar trans experiences; then Laura and Avery connect these concepts to the 1 Kings 19 story of God coming to Elijah not in fire or earthquake, but in a "still small voice." What message do we find in God meeting Elijah's feelings of frailty with vulnerability of Their own? How does God make use of "masks" to accommodate us humans? For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com. __________ Talking Points: (0:00 - 4:30) Intro — an update from Adam Richards, the guest from episodes 3 & 5 back in 2019, on their journey in Methodist ministry! (4:31 - 9:29) Laura explains autistic masking — a survival tactic with a major cost — and links it to trans experience (9:30 - 13:39) Joy Ladin's concept of God as the ultimate Other, just as trans persons are often treated in our world (13:40 - 16:21) Reading 1 Kings 19: Elijah is ready to die; God comes to him as a "still small voice" (16:22 - 18:26) The Hebrew behind the "still small voice" — more literally "a voice, a thin whisper" (18:27 - 25:53) Frailness or vulnerability is one face of God, which They use to accommodate our own frailty (25:54 - end) Wrapping up — don't forget to check out Laura's podcast, Autistic Liberation Theology! __________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Magnified Pod, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also includes "Sept 15 Jam" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

When we delve into any holy text together, we all come away the richer for it — just as Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch enriched one another during their odd desert encounter, each sharing what they found in the prophet Isaiah. In this episode, Avery shares a sermon they wrote on Acts 8:26-40 that draws not only from many transgender theologians but also from a conversation with a handful of people who all brought their unique insights to the story. Philip can be read as autistic, the eunuch as trans — and so much more! What unique experiences do we need YOU to share to expand our understanding of this story even further? For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com. Talking Points: (0:00 - 4:53) Introducing Acts 8 and sermon background (4:54 - 9:00) Sermon starts - how eunuchs of old connect to trans persons today; conversing in community (9:01 - 17:30) Part 1 of the Acts 8 text — on the wilderness road, Philip's autistic enthusiasm breaks down barriers (17:31 - 26:30) Part 2 of the Acts 8 text — the eunuch's connection to Isaiah's suffering servant using theology of survival (26:31 - 31:20) Part 3 of the Acts 8 text — the eunuch is baptized as they are, bringing all their differences into their relationship with God; our diversity is a gift we bring to our faith communities (31:21 - end) Wrapping up with resource suggestions __________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also includes "Mod 4" and "Sept 15 Jam" by Jeremy SH Griffith.

April Willow Castillo knows what it is to believe yourself to be the only queer person in all of Peru; to question your sexuality while in Catholic youth group in the US; and to finally grow into yourself at a university supportive of LGBT faculty and students. In this episode, April discusses how the love of God has pulled her from depressive states and religious trauma into deep joy and pride in being herself and bonding with other Hispanic queer folk. She also talks about LGBT community in Peru and the US; the history of Indigenous and Catholic religion in Peru; and how God is often twisted into a political weapon in the US. For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com. Content warnings: swearing; depression; grandparent's death; homophobia & transphobia from friends, family, & faith leaders; internalized queerphobia; brief mentions of conversion therapy _______ Talking Points: (0:00 - 5:35) Introducing April - Latina trans Catholic university student, Peruvian immigrant, aspiring gamer girl (5:36 - 8:50) Growing up - Hispanic Catholic communities in US; Peruvian town where Catholic celebrations bring the community together (8:51 - 13:57) Youth group - from depression to a spiritual reawakening (13:58 - 21:28) Questioning sexuality and realizing how church wields God as political weapon; youth group & church tainted by fear - though some peers are more accepting (21:29 - 25:29) "Are you a man?" - questioning gender - "how did anyone ever think i was cis?” (25:30 - 26:30) Jesus would be seen as a communist/socialist - but US churches twist him into pro-capitalism (26:31 - 30:52) Exploring Peru's indigenous religion - coming to terms with being a proud Catholic while holding the history of it being forced on her ancestors (30:53 - 36:18) queerness in Peru - not talked about: "I was pretty sure I was the only queer person in Peru" - more recently, ads using LGBT figures (36:19 - 39:17) In college - realizing she had to do something about gender - finding a good therapist and community - finding joy in being trans (39:18 - end) wrapping up - more of April's story in future ep _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Hot Tea Hot Takes, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also includes "Damage" by EleventySeven.

Avery shares their sermon from a recent worship service centered around the goodness of all bodies - particularly those the world labels broken or lesser. When so many of us are made to feel imprisoned by our own flesh, how do we embrace embodiment as something holy? Let's look to ancient interpretations of the first human (ha-adam) as intersex; connect this human's story to gender affirming surgery; and explore Jesus's choice to rise in a physical body with disabling wounds to discover how what the world calls broken, God calls Good. For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com. Talking Points: (0:00 - 7:27) Intro: unlearning Greco-Roman dualism that pits spirit over flesh; learning how autistic stimming connects our minds & bodies (7:28 - 12:15) Scripture readings from Genesis 2:7-25, John 20:19-29, & 1 Corinthians 1:18-29 (12:16 - 14:11) The sermon begins - our bodes become cages in a world that teaches us some bodies are normative and all others are deviant; but Genesis 2 & John 20 teach us differently (14:12 - 16:41) The first human, ha-adam - an intersex being with no assigned gender - created good, but in need of a helpful counterpart (16:42 - 19:21) God does not deny or dismiss ha-adam's problem of aloneness, but identifies the problem and fixes it - what if we did likewise for the disability and transgender communities? (19:22 - 22:02) God the first surgeon, creating two bodies where there was one - affirming the steps we take to be more at home in our bodies & demonstrating our need for community (22:03 - 23:42) Jesus's body is also labeled lesser; Jesus is connected to ha-adam by scar tissue - a surgery performed in love vs. a soldier's spear (23:43 - 26:14) Jesus keeps his body to connect to Thomas; to show us that we are not spirits in flesh prisons, but inspirited bodies; for the sake of all who are told to hate & punish their bodies (26:15 - 29:55) Jesus keeps his disabling wounds to show that disability and wholeness are not incompatible; what does it mean if disability will not be removed, but redeemed? (29:56 - 31:17) Both Jesus and ha-adam show us that interdependence is not weakness, but strength (31:18 - 34:29) Showing our bodies love even when we struggle to love them (34:30 - end) Wrapping up with a prayer _______ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of Jeremy SH Griffith's pieces "Mod 5," "Sept 15 Jam," "Camilla," and "Mod 2."

The scriptures and liturgy that Christian communities read during Holy Week, the week we commemorate Jesus's arrest and crucifixion, have borne violent antisemitic fruit across the centuries. Particularly poisonous is the "Solemn Reproaches of the Cross," or Improperia, which pins the blame for Jesus' death squarely on the Jewish community. In this episode, Avery shares the alternative liturgy they wrote, with the hope that it might be a jumping off point for conversations on this topic. Rather than pretending the "Solemn Reproaches" never existed, Christians must grapple with it, guide our communities in understanding why it is so evil, and thus move towards acknowledging and dealing with our antisemitism, past and present. For an episode transcript, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com/podcast-archive. Find the referenced article by Amy-Jill Levine with its strategies for dealing with problematic New Testament texts here. Avery also published their alternative text at binarybreakingliturgy.com. Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. "August" & "Knowing" by Jeremy SH Griffith, as well as "Gold Beamer" by Mother Hood, are also used in this episode.

Amy Neville (he, she, or they pronouns) is a 21-year-old Australian art historian & artist whose work celebrates being both Catholic & queer. In this episode, Avery and Neville discuss Neville's life and how they've learned to stand up for themself and other queer persons; the way women & queer artists have used textile arts over the years; and Europe's Renaissance Period, focusing on queer artists who navigated adhering to & rebelling against the Catholic Church's rules for art in that period. For an episode transcript and more info about this show, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com/podcast. Find Neville on instagram @krem.caramel; check out their work at amyneville.art. Talking Points: (0:00 - 4:51) A reminder to Christians to confront antisemitism in Holy Week - see here for Amy-Jill Levine's article (4:52 - 13:43) Discovering queerness while in Catholic high school - finding resources, standing up against a teacher's homophobia (13:44 - 18:04) Meeting confident queer persons at university; coming out as genderfluid, going by last name Neville (18:05 - 21:37) Creating art about being queer and Catholic; push-back from fellow queer folks for being Catholic (21:38 - 29:22) Finding fellow queer persons of faith; the joy of community; Neville's graduate art exegesis "Divine Rebellion" (29:23 - 37:08) Some textile arts history: suffragettes & feminists reclaiming it; queer persons expanding it - "the perfect medium" for underrepresented and undervalued groups (37:09 - 43:32) Europe's Renaissance Period: the Catholic Church's power over the art scene; Caravaggio's role in rules censoring what could be depicted (43:33 - 44:30) Resisting pinning down dead artists' sexualities with labels they didn't have (44:31 - 48:24) Da Vinci's revolutionary art; sympathy for Judas (48:25 - 55:26) Michelangelo's struggle with religion - not because of queerness, but because of his love of science; rebellion in his Sistine Chapel masterpiece (55:27 - end) wrapping up - "find the power in your queerness and the rebellion in your love"; a future ep will continue Neville's tour of Renaissance art ____________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Magnified Pod, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. "August" and "Mod 5" by Jeremy SH Griffith are also used in this episode.

In this first episode focusing on the interconnections between trans & disability communities & theologies, Avery draws from Mel Baggs' theory of embedded forms of oppression to describe how ableism is at the heart of many manifestations of transphobia, including pathologization and coerced treatments. When transness is perceived as a disability, and disability is perceived as brokenness, the logical result is to try to "fix" or "cure" the trans individual - as evinced in the non-affirming "disability framework" through which some Christians view transness as a symptom of a Fallen world. How can trans persons and disabled persons join together to fight their similar battles, within faith communities and beyond? For an episode transcript (with citations) and more info about this show, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com/podcast. Talking Points: (0:00 - 5:13) Introducing the topic: why we must be anti-ableist in order to be anti-transphobic (5:12 - 6:48) At least 39% of trans people have one or more disabilities (6:49 - 7:46) Mel Baggs' theory: “There is ableism somewhere at the heart of your oppression, no matter what your oppression may be" (7:47 - 13:23) Example of sexism embedded in homophobia, and ableism embedded in both - drawing from "clobber verse" 1 Cor 6:9 (13:24 - 17:29) Examples of ableism embedded in transphobia - eugenics, pathologization; Christian psychologist Mark Yarhouse's "disability framework" for understanding transness (17:30 - 21:39) This embeddedness requires that we confront ableism in order to combat transphobia - how? (21:40 - end) Wrapping up - 1 Cor 12's interdependent members of one body ________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. "Gold Beamer" and "Can't Find" by MotherHood are also used in this episode.

Solaris Baldwin is a 21-year-old Black, genderfluid Methodist who first learned about Jesus as a watchful judge ready to throw people into hell. However, as they explored their identity and sought out community, they uncovered the God who does not will suffering but who suffers alongside us; who does not demand unquestioning obedience but desires our joyful efforts to emulate God's own love. Join Solaris and Avery in a conversation about finding our people, wrestling with scripture, and letting go of fear in order to embrace growth and love. Find Solaris @seraphic_sapphics on Instagram. For an episode transcript and more info about this show, visit blessedarethebinarybreakers.com/podcast. Timestamps: (0:00 - 6:17) Lent as a time for openness and self-nourishment; introducing Solaris (6:18 - 12:34) Solaris' childhood - white-majority Christian schools, learning that God is a watchful judge (12:35 - 17:53) First school with Black classmates - don't recognize Solaris as one of them; first Methodist church - learns that faith doesn't have to be fearful (17:54 - 26:39) Exploring identity - asexuality invalidated; trying out Islam, Catholicism, and....Juggaloism! - Searching for find a community & culture of their own (26:40 - 32:15) University - connecting to queer and Christian community at last; coming to understand God as co-sufferer & Outsider (32:16 - 43:05) Why fear-based religion doesn't work - the Clobber Passages, asking why, and hateful acts fueled by fear (43:06 - 54:37) Solaris' favorite Bible passages; accepting growth and changing our minds as part of faith; taking on witchcraft and accepting that none of us have everything right about God (54:38 - end) Wrapping up - visit Avery's instagram, Twitter, or tumblr for daily book quotes & reflection questions this Lent ________ Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Common Creatives, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com. The theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. "Can't Find" by MotherHood is also used in this episode.