"Erzen is sensitive, savvy, and provocative. Her mastery of historical sources, ethnographic technique, and accessible writing style are evident throughout. She illuminates aspects of conservative Christianity central to the 'culture wars,' deepening our understanding of the movement's internal struggles over sexuality, gender, and family issues. Erzen has written a wonderful book."--Diane Winston, author of Red-Hot and Righteous: The Urban Religion of the Salvation Army "Tanya Erzen's wonderful and timely book provides us with a compelling cultural history of the Christian right in the post-war period--from the cold war to family and sexual politics--as well as remarkable ethnographic insight into the dynamics of Exodus International. With compassion, humor, and insight, Erzen takes the reader through the ideological, organizational, and daily practices used in efforts to change people's theological and sexual orientations, from self-help to conversion testimony."--Faye Ginsburg, Professor of Anthropology, New York University, author of Contested Lives

Reinterpretations of key Bible texts related to sexual orientation, written by a Harvard student, present an accessible case for a modern Christian conservative acceptance of sexual diversity.

In an age where neither society nor the church knows what to do with gay Christians, Greg Coles shares his story—a story about a boy in love with Jesus who, at the fateful onset of puberty, realized his sexual attractions were persistently and exclusively for other guys. This honest, hopeful account shows life through one man's eyes and assures all people: "You are not a mistake."

“I used to be a lesbian.” In Gay Girl, Good God, author Jackie Hill Perry shares her own story, offering practical tools that helped her in the process of finding wholeness. Jackie grew up fatherless and experienced gender confusion. She embraced masculinity and homosexuality with every fiber of her being. She knew that Christians had a lot to say about all of the above. But was she supposed to change herself? How was she supposed to stop loving women, when homosexuality felt more natural to her than heterosexuality ever could? At age nineteen, Jackie came face-to-face with what it meant to be made new. And not in a church, or through contact with Christians. God broke in and turned her heart toward Him right in her own bedroom in light of His gospel. Read in order to understand. Read in order to hope. Or read in order, like Jackie, to be made new.

What if every church in America preached the truth - that the Bible is pro-gay - what would happen? It would change the world. There are many churches that do not welcome gay congregants and refuse to promote gay professionals within their church hierarchy. But imagine if mainstream Christian churches spoke up for their gay brothers and sisters in Christ? What if mainstream churches preached the pro-gay Word of God that is in the Bible? This is now possible. God is Gay shows step-by-step what God says on the gay issue in the Bible. It is there now-hiding in plain sight. Once the reader sees what God has plainly stated in His Word, the reader can never return to the state of "un-seeing." Learn what the Bible was actually saying to the people in the times the Bible was written. The Bible is still saying that to us today. Forget what the media tells you about the Christian Bible supporting homophobia. They're lying to you. And this book will prove it. Simply put; God is not against homosexuality. In this book you will learn: -What specific blessing God has placed on gay believers; -That Jesus said he is like the gay population, forgoing women; -That the gay population in Bible times were prized and appreciated; -That in Bible times, the gay population was considered a third gender, but -The Catholic Church disposed of the third gender concept, by church decree, more than 300 years after the Bible was written; -There is no law in the Bible against gay sex; and -What the Bible says that supports gay marriage today. If you are ready to take the blinders off and read what the Bible truly says, then buy this book now.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Featured as One of Summer’s most anticipated reads by the Los Angeles Times, Vogue, Vulture, Entertainment Weekly, ELLE, Buzzfeed, and Bitch Media. From the author of I Don’t Want to Die Poor and in the style of New York Times bestsellers You Can’t Touch My Hair, Bad Feminist, and I'm Judging You, a timely collection of alternately hysterical and soul‑searching essays about what it is like to grow up as a creative, sensitive black man in a world that constantly tries to deride and diminish your humanity. It hasn’t been easy being Michael Arceneaux. Equality for LGBTQ people has come a long way and all, but voices of persons of color within the community are still often silenced, and being Black in America is…well, have you watched the news? With the characteristic wit and candor that have made him one of today’s boldest writers on social issues, I Can’t Date Jesus is Michael Arceneaux’s impassioned, forthright, and refreshing look at minority life in today’s America. Leaving no bigoted or ignorant stone unturned, he describes his journey in learning to embrace his identity when the world told him to do the opposite. He eloquently writes about coming out to his mother; growing up in Houston, Texas; being approached for the priesthood; his obstacles in embracing intimacy that occasionally led to unfortunate fights with fire ants and maybe fleas; and the persistent challenges of young people who feel marginalized and denied the chance to pursue their dreams. Perfect for fans of David Sedaris, Samantha Irby, and Phoebe Robinson, I Can’t Date Jesus tells us—without apologies—what it’s like to be outspoken and brave in a divisive world.