Ep.66 / Jesus: The OG LGBTQ+ Ally

From mistranslations and cultural context to who Jesus actually spent time with, this episode breaks down why the version of Jesus many of us were taught might not match the original message at all.

Was Jesus Actually a Queer Ally? Reexamining the Bible, History, and LGBTQ Inclusion

For many LGBTQ people, religion has been a source of pain, shame, and exclusion. Christianity in particular has long been used as a weapon — citing scripture to justify rejection, conversion therapy, and the silencing of queer identities. But what if the problem isn’t Jesus… but how his story has been rewritten?

This question sits at the heart of a growing conversation around Christianity and LGBTQ inclusion. When we look beyond modern interpretations and examine the historical context of the Bible, a very different picture begins to emerge.

The Bible Has Been Rewritten — A Lot

The Bible is not a single, untouched document handed down through time. It has been translated, edited, compiled, and reinterpreted over centuries — often by people in positions of power with cultural and political agendas.

Many of the verses now used to condemn homosexuality did not originally reference sexual orientation as we understand it today. Concepts like “gay” or “LGBTQ” did not exist in biblical times. Instead, these passages often referred to exploitation, abuse, or power imbalances — not consensual, loving relationships.

The most cited example comes from translations in the mid-20th century, when the word “homosexual” began appearing in English Bibles. Prior to this, terms were more accurately translated as “sexual aggressor” or “abuser,” not loving same-sex partners.

These mistranslations played a significant role in shaping modern anti-LGBTQ theology.

Did Jesus Ever Talk About Homosexuality?

Short answer: no.

Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. Not once. There is no recorded teaching where Jesus condemns same-sex relationships or queer identity.

What Jesus did talk about constantly was love, compassion, humility, and justice. He criticized religious leaders more than anyone else — especially those who used rules to exclude and control others.

Jesus consistently aligned himself with people society rejected: the poor, the sick, sex workers, and outsiders. His message centered on belonging before belief and love before judgment.

This pattern makes it difficult to reconcile the idea of Jesus as anti-LGBTQ.

Why Modern Christianity Feels So Different

Over time, Christianity shifted from a movement centered on radical love to an institution focused on control. As religious power grew, conformity became more important than compassion.

Queer people, like many marginalized groups, became convenient targets. By labeling LGBTQ identities as sinful, institutions could reinforce traditional gender roles, family structures, and authority.

This wasn’t about spirituality — it was about maintaining power.

Queer Joy as Spiritual Resistance

One of the most radical things queer people can do is live openly and joyfully. Queer joy challenges the narrative that LGBTQ lives are broken or immoral.

If queerness were truly incompatible with faith or humanity, it wouldn’t produce resilience, creativity, deep community, and chosen family. These are not signs of moral decay — they are signs of life.

Jesus spoke often about abundant life. A life filled with connection, authenticity, and love. For many, queerness is not a rejection of spirituality — it is an expression of it.

Reclaiming Faith After Religious Trauma

Not everyone wants to reclaim religion — and that’s okay. Healing from religious trauma doesn’t require forgiveness or belief.

But for those who still feel drawn to spirituality, it’s important to know that faith does not belong to institutions. Christianity does not own Jesus. And no one gets to gatekeep your connection to meaning, love, or purpose.

You are allowed to redefine faith on your own terms — or leave it behind entirely.

So, Was Jesus a Queer Ally?

If allyship means standing with the marginalized, challenging harmful systems, and prioritizing love over rules — then yes, Jesus’ teachings align far more closely with queer liberation than queer condemnation.

The version of Jesus often used to shame LGBTQ people is not found in scripture — it’s found in fear-driven interpretations.

And those interpretations can be questioned.

Final Thoughts

You are not broken for questioning religion. You are not wrong for walking away. And you are not unworthy of love — divine or otherwise.

If the story you were taught made you feel small, maybe it wasn’t the truth. Maybe it was rewritten.

And you are allowed to rewrite it again.