Former Anti-Gay Pastor: 'I Was Wrong About LGBTQ+ People'

"Testify to Love" Singer Michael Passons: Kicked Out For Being Gay, Now Topping Christian Charts

Michael Passons was a founding member of Avalon, one of the biggest Christian music groups of all time. He wrote and performed "Testify to Love," a song that became an icon of Christian music. But when he came out as gay, he was forced out of the band and lost everything. Now, Michael is rewriting his story — and breaking records doing it. He just rereleased "Testify to Love" as an LGBTQ+ affirming anthem with country artist Ty Herndon, and together they became the first openly gay artists to reach #1 on the iTunes Christian charts. In this episode of You Can Be Both, Michael sits down with host Lauren Lanzaretta to share his full journey: Growing up in rural Mississippi. His dream of becoming a Christian music artist. What it felt like to be kicked out of Avalon for being gay. His spiritual deconstruction and finding faith again on his own terms. And what it means to finally sing authentically. This is a powerful conversation about survival, resilience, and reclaiming your voice. IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT: * Michael's journey as a founding member of Avalon and writing the iconic "Testify to Love" * Growing up in rural Mississippi in a conservative Baptist church * Realizing he was gay and the internal struggle that followed * Being forced out of Avalon for coming out * His spiritual deconstruction and stepping away from organized religion * Finding his way back to faith and spirituality on his own terms * Rereleasing "Testify to Love" as an LGBTQ+ affirming anthem with Ty Herndon * Making history as the first openly gay artists to reach #1 on iTunes Christian charts * What it means to sing and live authentically * His message to LGBTQ+ people still in the closet * Advice for worship leaders who've been kicked out of church * The power of reclaiming your voice and your story FOLLOW MICHAEL:Instagram: @michaelpassonsSpotify: Michael PassonsApple Music: Michael PassonsYouTube: Michael Passons FOLLOW LAUREN:Instagram: @laurenlanzarettaYouTube: Lauren LanzarettaSpotify: Lauren LanzarettaApple Music: Lauren Lanzaretta FREE LGBTQ+ HEALING & RESOURCE GUIDE:Access Lauren's full story, healing resources, books, podcasts, and voices that have helped transform shame to freedom.Visit: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

God WANTS Me To Be Gay -- A Former Pastor's Coming Out Story

Mike Maeshiro spent 5 years as an instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry — teaching, preaching, and living what he thought was his calling. But there was one problem: he was gay. From age 10, Mike knew he was different. He tried conversion therapy. He dated a woman to "fix" himself. He climbed the evangelical ladder at one of the most influential charismatic churches in the world — all while suppressing who he really was. Then in 2020, everything changed. A Taylor Swift documentary, a passage from Acts, and a spiritual awakening in the woods led Mike to a truth he'd been running from for 22 years: God wanted him to be gay. In this episode, Mike shares his journey from being kicked out of ministry school for confiding in a friend about his attraction to men, to becoming a paid staff member and instructor at the same institution, to finally coming out publicly in 2022 and walking away from everything he'd built. What we cover: * Growing up evangelical and realizing he was gay at age 10 * Being kicked out of Bethel ministry school after being outed by a friend * Getting hired back and climbing the ministry ladder while suppressing his identity * The spiritual experiences (including Taylor Swift's Miss Americana) that led to his coming out * How he reconciled his faith with his sexuality through rigorous biblical study * The cost of staying closeted vs. the freedom of coming out * His work now helping LGBTQ people heal from religious trauma through Numa Mike is the founder of Numa, an organization supporting people healing from religious toxicity, especially within the LGBTQ community. Through coaching, speaking, and social media, he helps people live authentically and reclaim spirituality in affirming ways. Connect with Mike:Instagram/TikTok: @mikemaeshiroOrganization: Numa 📖 FREE LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbebothIncludes my full testimony + every book, podcast, and resource that helped me reconcile my faith and identity. 🎵 My Music: Search "Lauren Lanzaretta" on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube 📱 Follow:@lanzaretta@youcanbebothpodcast If you've ever felt caught between your faith and your identity, this conversation will remind you: you don't have to choose. #LGBTQChristian #BethelChurch #Deconstruction #ComingOut #ExEvangelical #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ReligiousTrauma #FaithJourney #YouCanBeBoth

Why the Church Creates Fake Christians (And How LGBTQ People Are Changing That)

I met a woman in Clearwater who was shocked that I'm a Christian and didn't judge her. That moment made me realize something: the church has created a culture of inauthenticity — and it's pushing people away from God. In this solo episode, I'm talking about why so many people (straight and LGBTQ) feel like they can't be themselves in church, why LGBTQ Christians have a unique gift to offer the world, and why I'm done spending energy defending my faith instead of just living it. What we cover: * Why the church creates "fake" Christians who can't be authentic * The woman at the bar who was shocked I didn't judge her * Why LGBTQ people have a special gift the church needs * How to stop being defensive and start showing God's love * Why being your authentic self IS true holiness * The power of using your God-given gifts instead of suppressing who you are * Why you can't fully serve God if you're not fully yourself This isn't about proving we're "Christian enough." It's about showing the world what real faith looks like — authentic, messy, loving, and unjudgmental. If you've ever felt like you have to wear a "church face" or hide parts of yourself to be accepted, this episode is for you. And if you're tired of the culture wars and just want to focus on the goodness of God — you're not alone. 📖 FREE LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbebothIncludes my full testimony + every book, podcast, and resource that helped me reconcile my faith and identity. 🎵 My Music: Search "Lauren Lanzaretta" on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube 📱 Follow:@lanzaretta@youcanbebothpodcast 💬 Share your story: YouCanBeBothPodcast@gmail.com [YouCanBeBothPodcast@gmail.com] Leave a comment and tell me: What has God done in your life as an LGBTQ person? Let's focus on the goodness of God, not defensiveness. #LGBTQChristian #AuthenticFaith #ChurchCulture #YouCanBeBoth #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ChristianLove #BeYourself #FaithJourney #LGBTQAffirming

Being Gay Isn't a Sin — Here's Why the Bible Actually SUPPORTS LGBTQ People

Can you be LGBTQ and Christian? Pastor Brandon Robertson says absolutely — and he's spent years studying the theology to prove it. In this conversation, Brandon breaks down why the "clobber passages" Christians use against gay people are mistranslations, misinterpretations, and taken out of historical context. We talk about Leviticus, Sodom and Gomorrah, Romans 1, and what Jesus actually said (or didn't say) about homosexuality. Brandon also shares his journey from growing up in fundamentalist evangelicalism to coming out and becoming one of the most prominent LGBTQ-affirming pastors in America. He talks about purity culture, deconstruction, progressive Christianity, and why he believes the Bible supports gay marriage. Topics we cover: * Why Leviticus 18:22 doesn't condemn homosexuality * What Sodom and Gomorrah was ACTUALLY about (hint: not gay people) * Romans 1 and Paul's condemnation of temple prostitution — not loving relationships * The difference between biblical interpretation vs. fundamentalism * How evangelicalism weaponizes scripture against LGBTQ people * Brandon's coming out story and losing his church community * What progressive Christianity really means * Why affirming theology is growing in the church More about Brandon Robertson:Brandon is a pastor, author, activist, and one of the leading voices for LGBTQ inclusion in Christianity. He's written multiple books on queer theology and leads an affirming church community. 📖 FREE LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth 🎵 My Music: Search "Lauren Lanzaretta" on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube 📱 Follow:@lanzaretta@youcanbebothpodcast If you've ever been told you can't be gay and Christian, this conversation will change everything. #LGBTQChristian #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ChristianLove #BrandonRobertson #YouCanBeBoth #GayPastor #BiblicalInterpretation #DeconstructingFaith #AffirmingChurch

You Can Be Trans AND Christian — Here's Why

Can you be transgender AND Christian? I'm answering this question directly — and what I learned completely changed my heart. In this episode, I talk about Neeza Powers, a trans Christian woman who faced thousands of hateful comments for being her authentic self. I break down what the Bible actually says about gender, explore Deuteronomy 22:5 in context, and explain why Jesus' ministry was focused on outcasts — not the religiously "perfect." WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: ✅ Neeza Powers' story — Trans Christian attacked online for being her authentic self ✅ Deuteronomy 22:5 debunked — What this verse ACTUALLY meant in historical context ✅ Why Christians cherry-pick Bible verses about gender but ignore others ✅ Intersex people & brain science — Gender isn't as binary as we think ✅ Jesus' ministry focused on outcasts — Not the religiously "perfect" ✅ How my heart changed after talking to trans Christians ✅ A call to love, not judge If you've ever wondered whether being trans conflicts with faith, or if you're a Christian trying to understand the LGBTQ+ community better, this is for you. 📖 FREE LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth Includes my full testimony + every book, podcast, and resource that helped me reconcile my faith and identity. 🎵 My Music: Search "Lauren Lanzaretta" on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube 📱 Follow me:@lanzaretta @youcanbebothpodcast #TransChristian #LGBTQFaith #ChristianLove #YouCanBeBoth #TransRights #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #FaithAndIdentity