Ep.68 / Faith Without Fear: Queer Theology, Inclusive Christianity & Reclaiming God with Rev. Alisan Rowland
Religion has long been used against LGBTQ+ people—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Hot Air, Joshua sits down with an LGBTQ+ affirming pastor to explore queer theology, inclusive Christianity, trans theology, and what faith looks like when it celebrates—not condemns—who you are.
Faith Without Fear: Queer Theology, Inclusive Christianity & Reclaiming Faith as an LGBTQ+ Person
For many LGBTQ+ people, religion isn’t just complicated—it’s painful.
Faith has been used to justify rejection, silence, conversion therapy, and lifelong shame. Entire generations of queer and trans people were told they were sinful simply for existing. It’s no surprise that many LGBTQ+ folks walked away from religion entirely, believing faith and queerness could never coexist.
But what if that story is incomplete?
In this episode of Hot Air, we explore the other side of religion—the side rooted in love, inclusion, and liberation. Joshua sits down with an LGBTQ+ affirming pastor to unpack queer theology, inclusive Christianity, and what faith looks like when it celebrates queer and trans identities instead of condemning them.
Religion and the LGBTQ+ Community: Naming the Harm
It’s important to name the reality: religion has caused real damage to LGBTQ+ lives.
From conversion therapy to spiritual manipulation, many churches weaponized scripture to control behavior and erase identity. These experiences created deep wounds—anxiety, self-hatred, family rejection, and lifelong fear of damnation.
For many queer people, stepping into a church feels unsafe, triggering memories of judgment disguised as “love.” That trauma doesn’t disappear just because affirming churches exist now.
Acknowledging harm is not anti-faith—it’s a necessary step toward healing.
What Is Queer Theology?
Queer theology asks a radical question: What if God is bigger than rigid gender roles, sexual norms, and power structures?
Rather than reading the Bible through fear or exclusion, queer theology looks at scripture through the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people. It examines historical context, translation issues, and cultural assumptions that shaped how passages were interpreted—and often misused.
Many of the verses historically used to condemn queer people rely on:
Poor translations
Cultural norms from ancient societies
Power structures that favored control over compassion
Queer theology reframes scripture as a living text rooted in justice, love, and liberation—not punishment.
Same-Sex Relationships in Scripture
Contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not contain modern concepts of sexual orientation.
Many so-called “anti-gay” passages address issues like exploitation, idolatry, or power imbalance—not loving, consensual same-sex relationships as we understand them today.
When scripture is read with historical awareness, it becomes clear that queerness was never the threat. Fear was.
Trans Theology: Gender Beyond the Binary
Trans theology challenges the assumption that the Bible supports only two fixed genders.
In Genesis, Adam is described as an earth creature—formed from dust before gender differentiation. Gender emerges later, complicating simplistic interpretations of “male and female.”
Scripture also includes eunuchs—gender-expansive figures who exist outside traditional categories. Rather than being excluded, eunuchs are repeatedly affirmed and welcomed in biblical narratives, even described as especially close to God.
For trans and nonbinary people, these stories offer reflection, dignity, and belonging.
Finding Faith Without Fear
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is imagining what faith can look like when it’s affirming.
In inclusive churches, LGBTQ+ people are not projects or exceptions. They are leaders, clergy, families, and beloved community members. Their identities are celebrated—not tolerated.
Faith becomes a source of healing instead of harm.
For some, reclaiming faith means returning to church. For others, it means spirituality without institutions. Both paths are valid.
Healing From Religious Trauma
This episode also honors those who may never return to religion—and that’s okay.
Healing doesn’t require forgiveness, reconciliation, or belief. It requires agency. Faith should always be an invitation, never an obligation.
For those who are curious again, affirming churches prioritize:
Consent
Boundaries
Emotional safety
Celebration of identity
No one owes religion their presence.
A Faith Rooted in Love
At its core, this episode asks a simple question: What if love was always the point?
Inclusive Christianity and queer theology remind us that faith can be expansive, joyful, and liberating. That LGBTQ+ people are not broken. That queerness is not a mistake. That spirituality can belong to everyone—or no one—on their own terms.
If religion ever told you that you were unworthy, this conversation offers another truth:
You were always loved.