Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 1d

Two-spirit Native Americans are honored at Q Spirit on Indigenous Peoples Day 10/13/25, an alternative to Columbus Day. Contemporary artists re-envision the freedom and spirituality of queer people before and after Europeans came. #IndigenousPeoplesDay qspirit.net/indigenous-p...

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Two-spirit Native Americans bridge genders

Two-spirit Native Americans are honored at Q Spirit for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, an alternative to the U.S. national holiday Columbus Day. Contemporary artists have re-envisioned the freedom of queer ...

qspirit.net

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 3d

Come out for LGBTQ equality on #NationalComingOutDay with faith-based books, cartoons, videos and worship resources. On Oct. 11, #ComingOutDay urges LGBTQ people & allies to be open about who you are & your support for LGBTQ equality. #FaithfullyLGBT #NCOD
qspirit.net/national-com...

Spiritual resources honor National Coming Out Day

Come out for LGBTQ equality on National Coming Out Day with faith-based books, cartoons, videos and worship resources from Q Spirit. On Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day encourages LGBTQ people and all...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 4d

Vida Dutton Scudder (1861-1954) is a social reformer, professor, #lesbian author - and an official saint in the #Episcopal Church. Her feast day is Oct. 10. For 35 years Scudder lived with author Florence Converse. #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/vida-dutton-...

Vida Dutton Scudder: Lesbian saint, reformer and teacher

Vida Dutton Scudder (1861-1954) is a social reformer, Wellesley professor, prominent lesbian author -- and an official saint in the Episcopal Church. Her feast day is Oct. 10. For 35 years until her d...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 5d

John Henry Newman, an official Catholic saint and 19th-century British scholar-priest, had a “romantic friendship” with Ambrose St. John. They lived together for 32 years and share the same grave. Newman’s Catholic feast day is Oct. 9. #faithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/john-henry-n...

Gay saint John Henry Newman and his "earthly light" Ambrose St. John shared romantic friendship

John Henry Newman, a 19th-century British scholar, theologian and cardinal, was canonized by the Pope as a Roman Catholic saint amid rampant speculation that he was gay. Newman had a "romantic friends...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 6d

New book: Scripture hints at forbidden love between David the giant-slayer and Jonathan the prince, but their gay love story is fully revealed in the historical novel “Abomination” by @jezabelle.bsky.social. Biblical heroes bound by desire and faith. #faithfullyLGBT
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR4SXXZ...

Abomination: The Story of David and Jonathan

Amazon.com: Abomination: The Story of David and Jonathan: 9798385259601: Belle, Jeza: Books

www.amazon.com

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 6d

Archbishop #DesmondTutu was a Nobel Peace Prize-winning South African activist for racial and LGBTQ equality. He famously fought apartheid, but he was also a major religious voice for LGBTQ people. His birthday is Oct. 7, 1931. #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/desmond-tutu...

Desmond Tutu: Anti-apartheid Archbishop who stood for LGBTQ equality

Desmond Tutu was a Nobel Peace Prize-winning South African activist for racial and LGBTQ equality. The Anglican archbishop famously fought apartheid, but he was also one of the world’s top religious v...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 7d

Saints Sergius and Bacchus were 3rd-century Roman soldiers who loved each other. The story of these "gay saints" is told in words and images for their feast day Oct. 7. They are a classic example of paired saints. #FaithfullyLGBT #gay qspirit.net/sergius-bacc...

Sergius and Bacchus: Paired male saints loved each other in ancient Roman army

Sergius and Bacchus were 3rd-century Roman soldiers and Christian martyrs who loved each other. Their story is told in words and pictures for their feast day Oct. 7. They are by far the best documente...

qspirit.net

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 8d

Happy birthday, MCC! My photos from 40 years of MCC history are posted here in honor of the anniversary. On Oct. 6, 1968, Troy Perry founded Metropolitan Community Churches, the first denomination to affirm LGBTQ people. @mccdenomination.bsky.social #FaithfullyLGBT
qspirit.net/metropolitan...

Metropolitan Community Churches: Ministering in the LGBTQ community since 1968: Historic MCC photos

Metropolitan Community Churches, the first denomination to affirm LGBTQ people, was founded on Oct. 6, 1968 by Troy Perry. My photos from 40 years of MCC history are posted here in honor of the annive...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 9d

Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked on Oct. 6-7, 1998 in Wyoming. He is a modern #gay martyr whose murder brought international attention to anti-#LGBTQ hate crimes and became a cultural icon, inspiring many. #faithfullyLGBT #MatthewShepard qspirit.net/matthew-shep...

Matthew Shepard: Modern gay martyr and hate-crime victim

Matthew Shepard is a modern gay martyr who was brutally attacked on Oct. 6-7, 1998, near Laramie, Wyoming, His death brought international attention to anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Since then he has become...

qspirit.net

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 9d

October Q Spirit Newsletter is out! Queer saint Francis of Assisi art, gay martyr Matthew Shepard, rainbow Mary, Hildegard's same-sex love, Nouwen's gay struggle, Euphrosyne / Smaragdus, Rumi, Carl Bean, new LGBTQ Christian books and more #faithfullyLGBT at: conta.cc/4nAzhIV

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 10d

Historical records reveal a queer side to Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved religious figures of all time. His feast day is Oct. 4. Few know about the 13th-century friar's love for another man and his gender nonconformity. #faithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/francis-assi...

Francis of Assisi: Queer side revealed for saint who loved creation, peace and the poor

Historical records reveal a queer side to Francis of Assisi. Few know about his love for another man and his gender nonconformity. His feast day is Oct. 4. Saint Francis is one of the most beloved rel...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 14d

Rumi is a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose love for another man inspired some of the world’s best poems and led to the creation of a new religious order, the Whirling Dervishes. #Rumi was born Sept. 30, 1207 in Afghanistan. #faithfullyLGBT
qspirit.net/rumi-same-se...

Rumi: Poet and Sufi mystic inspired by same-sex love

Rumi is a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose love for another man inspired some of the world’s best poems and led to the creation of a new religious order, the Whirling Dervishes. He was ...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 15d

FannyAnn Eddy was an #LGBTQ rights activist in Africa. She was murdered on Sept. 29, 2004. She told the United Nations, “Silence creates vulnerability,” and founded the Sierra Leone #Lesbian and #Gay Association. FannyAnn, you are not forgotten! #queer #qtbipoc qspirit.net/fannyann-edd...

FannyAnn Eddy: Lesbian martyr in Africa - Q Spirit

FannyAnn Eddy was an LGBTQ rights activist in Africa. She was murdered on Sept. 29, 2004. She told the United Nations, “Silence creates vulnerability,” and founded the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Ass...

qspirit.net

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 16d

Good King Wenceslas might be #gay. Yes, the king in the Christmas carol. The king and his page Podiven are real historical figures who loved each other in 10th-century Bohemia. Sep. 28 is the feast day of St Wenceslaus I, duke of Bohemia. #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/gay-king-wen...

Good (Gay?) King Wenceslas loved his page Podiven

Good King Wenceslas might be gay. Yes, the king in the Christmas carol. The king and his page Podiven are real historical figures who loved each other in 10th-century Bohemia. Sept. 28 is the feast da...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 19d

Euphrosyne / Smaragdus of Alexandria is a 5th-century saint who left life as a woman to become a male monk in an Egyptian monastery. His own father didn't recognize him until the saint revealed the truth to him shortly before dying. #faithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/euphrosyne-s...

Euphrosyne / Smaragdus of Alexandria: Queer saint crossed gender divide in 5th-century Egypt

Euphrosyne / Smaragdus (Emerald) of Alexandria is a 5th-century saint who left life as a woman to become a monk in an Egyptian monastery. The future saint ran away from home at age 18, changed her nam...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 19d

Virginia Mollenkott was a feminist Bible scholar and queer theologian whose 13 books liberated many LGBTQ lives. She died on Sept. 25, 2020 at age 88. Her books include “Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?” and “Omnigender.” #faithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/virginia-mol...

Virginia Mollenkott: Trailblazing queer theologian and feminist Bible scholar

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott was a trailblazing feminist Bible scholar and queer theologian whose 13 books liberated countless LGBTQ lives. She died on Sept. 25, 2020 at age 88. Mollenkott shook the reli...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 21d

Christianity means loving your “queer neighbor as yourselves. Or your queer self as your neighbor” in new book “You Can, If You Want To: Navigating Christian Faith, Conscience & Matters LGBTQ+” by gay priest James Alison. @bloomscontinuum.bsky.social #FaithfullyLGBT
www.amazon.com/dp/139942299...

You Can, If You Want To: Navigating Christian Faith, Conscience, and matters LGBTQ+

You Can, If You Want To: Navigating Christian Faith, Conscience, and matters LGBTQ+ [Alison, James] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. You Can, If You Want To: Navigating Christian Faith, Conscience, and matters LGBTQ+

www.amazon.com

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 22d

Help is available for people considering suicide now at www.thetrevorproject.org

Support Homepage

The Trevor Project is a non-profit suicide prevention organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services, research, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people.

www.thetrevorproject.org

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 22d

Bullied into killing himself, gay teen Tyler Clementi brought international attention to suicide of LGBTQ youth by jumping to his death Sept. 22, 2010. Anti-LGBTQ religious leaders helped form the hostile atmosphere that drove him to die. #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/tyler-clemen...

Tyler Clementi: Gay teen driven to suicide by bullies

Bullied into killing himself, gay teen Tyler Clementi brought international attention to suicide of LGBTQ youth by jumping to his death on Sept. 22, 2010. Anti-LGBTQ religious and political leaders he...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 22d

John McNeill was a pioneering #gay priest, psychotherapist, author, theologian and Jesuit scholar who inspired many LGBTQ people of faith and allies. He died 10 years ago on Sept. 22, 2015. McNeill wrote the 1976 book “The Church and the Homosexual.” #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/john-mcneill...

John McNeill: Pioneering gay priest who inspired LGBTQ people of faith

John McNeill was a pioneering gay priest, psychotherapist, author, theologian and Jesuit scholar who inspired countless LGBTQ people of faith and allies. He wrote the groundbreaking 1976 book “The Chu...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 23d

Henri Nouwen was a priest and author who wrestled with his homosexuality. He died on Sept. 21, 1996. His struggle with being #gay may have added depth to his writing. His “spirituality of the heart” touched millions. #FaithfullyLGBT qspirit.net/henri-nouwen...

Henri Nouwen: Priest and author who struggled with his homosexuality

Henri Nouwen was a priest and bestselling author who wrestled with his homosexuality in an intolerant church. He died on Sept. 21, 1996. His struggle with being gay may have added depth to his writing...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 27d

Hildegard of Bingen is a medieval German mystic, artist, composer and scientist who loved another nun named Richardis and wrote with ecstasy about Mary. Her feast day is 9/17. Hildegard celebrated God’s green web of life as “viriditas.” #faithfullyLGBT
qspirit.net/hildegard-bi...

Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis: Medieval mystic and woman she loved

Hildegard of Bingen is a medieval German mystic, artist, composer and scientist who loved another nun named Richardis and wrote with ecstasy about Mary. Her feast day is Sept. 17. Hildegard celebrated...

qspirit.net

Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · 28d

Free newsletter on #LGBTQ spirituality & the arts. Readers call it inspiring, informative, courageous and “always fabulous.” The Q Spirit Newsletter covers LGBTQ saints and history, emphasizing books & visual art. See samples and sign up at qspirit.net/newsletter/
#FaithfullyLGBT

Q Spirit offers free monthly LGBTQ spirituality newsletter

Free newsletter on LGBTQ spirituality & the arts. Visit Q Spirit to see a sample and sign up. Readers call it inspiring, informative and “always fabulous.”

qspirit.net

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · Sep 14

La Paula Turner was a pioneering Black lesbian clergy who supported LGBTQ Christians since the 1970s. She passed away on Aug. 4, 2025, at age 88. She was one of the first African Americans ordained by the LGBTQ-affirming @mccdenomination.bsky.social. #faithfullyLGBT
qspirit.net/la-paula-tur...

RIP: La Paula Turner: Black lesbian clergy pioneer opened doors

La Paula Turner was a pioneering Black lesbian clergy who supported LGBTQ Christians since the 1970s. She passed away on Aug. 4, 2025, at age 88. She was one of the first African Americans ordained by...

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Kittredge Cherry @kittredgecherry.bsky.social · Sep 13

September Q Spirit Newsletter is out! Gay chaplain Mychal Judge died helping on 9/11, remembering LGBTQ Christian pioneers La Paula Turner and Trudie Barreras, Mary has lesbian goddess roots and legacy, Augustine defended intersex, queer Bernard of Clairvaux and more at:
conta.cc/3VdISJf