Books
A Letter To My Congregation
Ken Wilson (Read The Spirit Books, 2014)
A heartfelt and theologically grounded appeal for churches to fully welcome LGBTQ+ individuals, challenging traditional interpretations of scripture while emphasizing grace, love, and inclusion.
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A Place at His Table – A Biblical Exploration of Faith, Sexuality, and the Kingdom of God
Joel Hollier (Cascade Books, 2019)
Offers a biblical exploration of faith, sexuality, and the inclusive nature of God’s Kingdom, advocating for the full acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Christian community.
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Affirming – A Memoir Of Faith, Sexuality, And Staying In The Church
Sally Gary (Eerdmans Publishing, 2021)
A deeply personal memoir that chronicles Sally Gary’s journey of reconciling her faith and sexuality while remaining committed to the Church, advocating for LGBTQ+ acceptance within Christian communities.
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Bible – Gender – Sexuality – Reframing The Church’s Debate On Same-Sex Relationships
James V. Brownson (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013)
A reconsideration of biblical texts on same-sex relationships, arguing for a more inclusive and contextually grounded interpretation.
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Changing Our Mind (with study guide)
David Gushee (Read The Spirit Books, 2017)
A personal and theological journey from traditionalist views to LGBTQ+ affirmation, accompanied by a study guide for deeper engagement.
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Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America
Jeff Chu (Harper Collins, 2013)
Chu embarks on a deeply personal journey across America, exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ Christians and their relationship with the church.
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Embracing The Journey – A Christian Parent’s Blueprint to Loving Your LGBTQ Child
Greg and Lynn McDonald (Howard Books, 2019)
A compassionate guide for Christian parents seeking to love and support their LGBTQ+ children while remaining true to their faith.
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God & The Gay Christian
Matthew Vines (Convergent Publishing, 2014)
A scriptural analysis that challenges traditional interpretations of homosexuality in the Bible and advocates for full LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
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Oriented To Faith – Transforming the Conflict Over Gay Relationships
Tim Otto (Cascade Books, 2014)
A fresh perspective on navigating the tension between LGBTQ+ individuals and the church, emphasizing unity, love, and mutual understanding.
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Raising Kids Beyond the Binary
Jamie Bruesehoff (Broadleaf Books, 2023)
A compassionate guide for parents seeking to support and affirm their transgender and non-binary children while navigating faith and society.
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Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships
Karen Keen (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2018)
A thought-provoking examination of biblical texts and ethical reasoning that challenges traditional views on same-sex relationships.
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Talking Across the Divide
Justin Lee (TarcherPerigee, 2018)
A practical approach to fostering meaningful dialogue on controversial issues, offering strategies for breaking down barriers and building bridges.
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The Bible and the Transgender Experience – How Scripture Supports Gender Variance
Linda Tatro Herzer (Pilgrim Press, 2016)
An exploration of biblical themes that affirm gender diversity, providing a theological foundation for the inclusion of transgender individuals.
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The Bible’s YES To Same-sex Marriage – An Evangelical’s Change Of Heart
Mark Achtemeier (WJK Books, 2014)
A journey of reexamining scripture and theology that leads to a reevaluation of same-sex marriage within an evangelical framework.
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The Righteous Mind – Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion
Jonathan Haidt (Vintage, 2012)
An insightful analysis of the psychological roots of moral and political disagreements, shedding light on why divisions persist.
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Torn – Rescuing The Gospel From The Gays-vs.-Christian Debate (revised and updated)
Justin Lee (Worthy Publishing, 2024)
A deeply personal account of the struggle to reconcile faith and sexuality, urging a shift toward compassion and understanding.
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Transforming – The Bible and The Lives Of Transgender Christians (with study guide)
Austen Hartke (Westminster John Knox Press, 2023)
A combination of biblical interpretation and personal narratives that highlights the experiences of transgender Christians within the church.
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Us Versus Us – The Untold Story of Religion and the LGBT Community
Andrew Marin (NavPress, 2016)
An eye-opening study that challenges assumptions about LGBTQ+ individuals and their relationship with religious communities.
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Walking the Bridgeless Canyon – Repairing The Breach Between The Church And The LGBT Community
Author (Kathy Baldock, Canyonwalker Press, 2014)
Explores the historical, cultural, and theological factors that have shaped the church’s stance on LGBTQ issues, offering a path toward reconciliation and understanding.
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Why Churches Need to Talk About Sexuality – Lessons Learned From Hard Conversations About Sex, Gender, Identity, And The Bible
Mark Wingfield (Fortress Press, 2019)
Provides insights and practical guidance for churches to engage in open, respectful, and informed conversations about sex, gender, and identity within a faith context.
→ Purchase
Faith-Based Organizations
Faith-based for family or individual support.
Beloved Arise
A movement dedicated to celebrating and empowering LGBTQ+ youth of faith through community, advocacy, and resources.
→ https://belovedarise.org
Canyonwalker Connections
Works to bridge the divide between the LGBTQ+ community and Christian churches by promoting understanding, inclusion, and equality.
→ https://canyonwalkerconnections.com
CenterPeace
Provides support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families within Christian communities, fostering dialogue and reconciliation.
→ https://centerpeace.net
Embracing The Journey
A Christian ministry helping parents and families navigate the journey of loving and supporting their LGBTQ+ children.
→ https://embracingthejourney.org
Making Things Right w/ Brian Nietzel
A resource for Christians seeking to understand and affirm LGBTQ+ identities, sharing personal stories and insights from faith-based perspectives.
→ https://briannietzel.com
Q Christian Fellowship
A diverse, LGBTQ+-affirming Christian community offering support, education, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
→ https://qchristian.org
Small Church Big Table – LGBTQ+ Questions for Churches
Offers transformational leadership coaching to help faith leaders build inclusive, Jesus-centered communities.
→ https://smallchurchbigtable.com
The Reformation Project
A Bible-based organization working to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church through education, leadership development, and advocacy.
→ https://reformationproject.org
Transmission Ministry Collective
A grassroots organization supporting transgender and nonbinary people of faith through community, education, and spiritual resources.
→ https://transmissionministry.com
Visit our Churches & Organizations page for additional online resources and support—specific to Southwest Washington.
General Organizations
(Scientific/Medical/Other)
American Psychological Association
The APA provides research-based information on gender identity, gender expression, and transgender people, offering insights for individuals, families, and professionals.
→ https://apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression
Family Acceptance Project
A research initiative that helps families support LGBTQ+ children and reduce risks related to family rejection, mental health, and well-being.
→ https://familyproject.sfsu.edu
Families United for Trans Rights
An advocacy group dedicated to protecting and supporting the rights of transgender individuals and their families through education, resources, and activism.
→ https://ourfutr.org
Gender Spectrum
Provides education, support, and resources to help create gender-inclusive environments for children, teens, parents, and professionals.
→ https://genderspectrum.org
Good Queer News – Ben Greene
A Substack newsletter sharing positive LGBTQ+ news, uplifting stories, and affirming perspectives from journalist Ben Greene.
→ https://goodqueernews.substack.com
Learning About Trans
An educational platform offering accessible information to help individuals, families, and allies better understand transgender identities and experiences.
→ https://learningabouttrans.com
National Center for Transgender Equality
A leading organization advocating for policies that support the rights, dignity, and equality of transgender people in the U.S.
→ https://transequality.org
National SOGIE Center
Supports professionals, caregivers, and youth by providing resources focused on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE).
→ https://sogiecenter.org
PFLAG
The nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
→ https://pflag.org
Additional resource: PFLAG’s transgender reading list for adults.
→ https://pflag.org/resource/transgender-reading-list-for-adults/
Straight for Equality / PFLAG
An initiative of PFLAG offering resources for allies who want to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces, faith communities, and healthcare.
→ https://straightforequality.org
Strong Family Alliance
Provides guidance, encouragement, and resources to help families support and affirm their LGBTQ+ loved ones.
→ https://strongfamilyalliance.org
The Trevor Project
A national organization focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth through 24/7 support services.
→ https://thetrevorproject.org
Trans Families
Offers support groups, educational resources, and advocacy for transgender youth and their families navigating gender identity journeys.
→ https://transfamilies.org
Local Connections
Visit our Churches & Organizations page for additional online resources and support—specific to Southwest Washington.