Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch | LGBTQ+ Spirituality, Queer Faith, and Community

LGBTQ+ Visibility, Coming Out, and "Gay Cavemen" with Rev. Duncan Teague

In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Duncan Teague.  Reverend Teague is lead minister and founder of the Abundant LUUv Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Atlanta. He is an out, Black, gay man recognized by Georgia legislators for his decades of HIV/AIDS research, education and advocacy. He previously was Faith Outreach Consultant for Freedom to Marry for marriage equality in Georgia.  Rev. Teague is a senior member of The ADODI Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble.  After sitting in on his worship service, we had a great Cajun Brunch before talking about a wide variety of topics including our humankind's connection to all living things, how we maintain our humanity in the face of adversity, and his incredible journey. He was introduced to us by the Outwords Archive.  Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders.  A link to their incredible site is below. Links:  Abundant Luuv:  https://aluuv.org/ [https://aluuv.org/] Aodoi Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble: https://aafa.galileo.usg.edu/repositories/2/resources/250 [https://aafa.galileo.usg.edu/repositories/2/resources/250] The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/ [https://theoutwordsarchive.org/] Duncan's Outwords Interview: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/duncan-teague/ [https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/duncan-teague/] The Sound of the Genuine by Robert Thurman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRKCfbV8eBU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRKCfbV8eBU] Remaining Human by Brian Lewis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2201450744/posts/10163003245855745/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2201450744/posts/10163003245855745/] Audio Engineering by Sarah Walls Brunch from Café Bourbon in Atlanta More on this podcast... [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]

"Gay Demons," A Calling, and Advocacy with Rev. Robert Arrington

In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Robert Arrington.  Reverend Arrington is the Founder and Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church of Charleston.  He’s a passionate advocate for social change, for the LGBTQIA+ community, for Queer people of color, and for people living with HIV.  It was recorded at The North Charleston LGBTQIA+ Community Center He discusses his own journey from a difficult and abusive childhood, battles with poverty and violence, being told he has "Gay Demon" inside him, fighting his own Church to be ordained, and now leading a ministry on his own terms.     Reverend Arrington was introduced to us by the Outwords Archive.  Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders.  A link to their incredible site is below. Links: We Are Family (the North Charleston LGBTQIA+ Center): https://waf.org/ [https://waf.org/] Unity Charleston: https://www.unitycharleston.com/ [https://unitysavannah.org/] The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/ [https://theoutwordsarchive.org/] More on this podcast... [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]

An Unlikely Pastor: Dale Worley on His Unusual Path and Spiritual Meaning

In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Reverend Dale Worley.  Reverend Worley is the spiritual leader and administrative director at Unity of Savannah, a center for spiritual awakening in Savannah, Georgia, whose mission is to be an inclusive community that embraces a positive. loving and uplifting approach to spirituality.  Rev. Worley discusses his own journey through turmoil, addiction, coming out, and finding his calling.  He helps us understand the mission of his spiritual center and also his personal philosophy of finding our own divinity.  It's an uplifting, moving, and fun conversation.  This episode is sponsored by Queering Precedent, a fantastic podcast from the Outwords Archive. Outwards is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of our queer elders, and this podcast looks at the legal and political landscape through their eyes.  Links: Unity Savannah: https://unitysavannah.org/ [https://unitysavannah.org/] The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/ [https://theoutwordsarchive.org/] Queering Precedent: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/queering-precedent/ [https://theoutwordsarchive.org/queering-precedent/] More on this podcast... [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]

Former Ex-Gay Leader John Smid on His Journey of Coming Out and Seeking Forgiveness

In this episode of Our Lady of Perpetual Brunch, host Stephen Stanley sits with with John Smid, a former leader of the ex-gay ministry Love in Action. John shares his extraordinary journey from coming out as gay in the late 1970s, to entering conversion therapy, and eventually renouncing those practices. He discusses the emotional toll of ex-gay ministries, the impact on families, and his path to redemption and acceptance. John reflects on the importance of community, love, and living in uncertainty, emphasizing the need for grace and understanding in a world that often lacks it. This is a little longer than our normal episode, but it's a remarkable journey that I hope you'll enjoy taking with me.   Episode Links:   We discuss the documentary This Is What Love In Action Looks Like, which chronicled a protest outside the headquarters of the Memphis-based conversion therapy center of Love In Action.  Here's a link to that doc: https://tubitv.com/movies/100003746/this-is-what-love-in-action-looks-like [https://tubitv.com/movies/100003746/this-is-what-love-in-action-looks-like] Here's a link to the trailer. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur-nUamaeHI] To follow this podcast on social or learn more, check out our linktree here. [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]  Please drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you! More on this podcast... [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]

Growing Up Intersex and Evangelical: Willow Sipling on Queer Integration

In this episode, host Stephen Stanley speaks with Willow Sipling. Willow is a public policy sociologist focusing her research and writing on organizational ethics, religious fundamentalism, and conversion therapy.  Willow also serves as a nonprofit leader at OutCenter Southwest Michigan and is completing a PhD at Western Michigan University.  Willow grew up intersex and trans in a conservative religious household, and through her spiritual journey visited on many different faith traditions.   As she navigates her path, she highlights the significance of critical thinking and the need for inclusive spaces within religious contexts. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the broader implications of faith, identity, and the ongoing fight for acceptance and understanding within religious institutions, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to spirituality.  It's a fascinating journey that I know you'll enjoy.  To learn more about check out her website here: https://willowsipling.com/ [https://willowsipling.com/] To follow this podcast on social or learn more, check out our linktree here. [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]  Please drop me a line on social media, or email me at perpetualbrunch (at) gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you! More on this podcast... [https://linktr.ee/perpetualbrunch]