Vicki Beeching deserves the utmost respect. Vicky shares her own story about being gay in the Christian music industry, where there was no room for a gay worship leader. So for ten years, Vicky rejected who she really was—a denial that damaged her body and soul. "Arguably the most influential Christian of her generation" (The Guardian), Beeching chronicles her rise at the heights of Christian music and her brave decision to come out as gay—leading to self-acceptance and acknowledgment, which changed her relationship with God and the practice of her faith. Also, check Vicki out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTtF4Tad-g&ab_channel=TheReformationProject

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_3f0bNsB4s&ab_channel=JOE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODcPyWd44vQ&ab_channel=BBCHARDtalk

By confronting his buried past and the burden of a life lived in shadow, Garrard traces the complex relationships among family, faith, and community. At times heart-breaking, at times triumphant, Boy Erased is a testament to love that survives despite all odds.

Also available on Netfix

https://www.netflix.com/lu-en/title/80240538

Highly recommended. Clear and compelling, Transforming is insightful, honest and moving. Hartke interweaves biblical, theological, and compelling personal lived stories – including his own – that invite us to discover trans identity through the lens of Scripture. It is an essential read for those looking to articulate inclusion and celebrate diversity and the Imago Dei intrinsic in all people. By introducing transgender issues and language and providing stories of biblical characters and real-life narratives from transgender Christians living today, Hartke helps readers visualise a more inclusive Christianity, equipping them with the confidence and tools to change the Church and the world.

Daily, author and LGBTQ advocate Amber Cantorna receive emails asking: How does one reconcile their sexuality with their faith? Depression, despair, and thoughts of suicide often haunt LGBTQ Christians as they feel unable to imagine the possibility of living a happy, fulfilling life as an LGBTQ person of faith. Cantorna provides hope and practicality.

Hear the powerful voices of queer youth of faith in this collection of personal narratives — finalists from the Beloved Arise 2020 National Essay Contest. QYF introduces 14 young queer voices who share their stories of heartbreak and hope, courage and compassion, discovering life in the overlapping spaces between faith and queerness.

Mihee Kim-Kort is a wife, a mom, and a Presbyterian minister. And she's queer. As she became aware of her queer sexuality, Mihee wondered what that meant for her spirituality. But instead of pushing her away from God, it brought her closer to Jesus and taught her how to love better. In Outside the Lines, Mihee shows us how God, in Jesus, is radically oriented toward us.

Ok - not a book, rather, Beloved Arise (Stories) is a web site packed with personal stories. Beloved Arise is a movement to fight for the lives of queer youth of faith. They build relationships, offer support, and inspire youth to embrace life to the fullest.

https://www.belovedarise.org/

What is it like to discover that something you’ve believed all your life might be wrong?
Sally Gary knew since her early adulthood that she was attracted to women. But as a devoted Christian, she felt there was no way to fully embrace this aspect of her identity while remaining faithful. Now, as she prepares to marry the love of her life, she’s ready to speak out about why—and how—her perspective changed.

Sally traces the experiences, conversations, and scriptural reading that culminated in her seeing her sexuality as something that made sense within the context of her faith—not outside of it or in opposition to it.

Justin Lee, a gay man and devout Christian, bridges his faith and sexuality gaps in this insightful and touching memoir. Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harboured a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance.

A truly fabulous collection of stories that are honest and hopeful. While so much of the conversation about LGBT+ inclusion has focused on theology and ideology, few have actually interacted with the raw, real stories and experiences of LGBT+ Christians. Brandan Robertson has brought together stories of LGBT+ Christians from around the world combined with his theological insights to create a powerful book that will challenge, convict, and inspire readers and embrace the revival that the Holy Spirit is igniting among queer Christians around the world.

Jennifer Knapp's meteoric rise in the Christian music industry ended abruptly when she walked away and came out publicly as a lesbian. This is her story—of coming to Christ, building a career, admitting who she is, and how her faith remained strong. Knapp also talks about the importance of her faith, and despite the many who claim she can no longer call herself a believer, she maintains that she is both gay and a Christian. This engrossing, inspiring memoir will help people understand her story and to believe in their own stories, whatever they may be.

Daughter of a 'Focus on the Family' executive, Amber came out to her family at 27. Struggling under the weight of perfectionism, reputation, and keeping up appearances, Amber boldly stepped into her true identity. In the process, she discovered the true love of God. Amber provides an intimate and honest insider's perspective into what many of us grew up with and raised our children in – the Dobson-Esque ideology.

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OK - until now, you might only know the word 'Queer' as a derogatory term.

However, the LGBTIQ+ community have proudly reclaimed 'Queer' as a beautiful umbrella term. 'Queer' provides a lived reality understanding from a non-heterosexual or cisgender perspective.

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Nadia Bolz-Weber does a great blog

on the word 'Queer'.

A book of honesty and hope. Unnatural is a collection of stories--not only of the harm religiously-inspired negative messages about homosexuality inflict but also of redemption. Rachel uses her own account and personal interviews with ten other queer women and one female-to-male transgender man to tell how they were judged, lectured, kicked out of homes and families, subjected to reparative therapies, and even assaulted. Some faced homelessness, depression, suicide attempts, and pervasive shame. Still, they fought to keep their faith alive. Each demonstrated an Unnatural ability to forgive, love, believe, advocate, and heal.

First-person testimonies from LGBTQ+ Christians about coming out and navigating their family dynamics. The resulting stories, crafted from interviews with fifteen queer Christians and family members, kept anonymous at their request, are as varied as the colours of the rainbow. Over the years, some grew closer to their families of origin; others grew more distant. Some were surprised by the hardness of heart they encountered; others were amazed by the breadth of their family's love.

David and Constantino Khalaf take on important and often taboo topics with wisdom and vulnerability. Offering direction and hope to a marginalised group of people who have long been left out of marriage discussions. Invaluable not only to people coming out/IN and queer couples but equally to parents of queen children. Modern Kinship offers hope, but more than that - it helps remove some of the harmful rhetoric and damaging stereotyping many of us have been taught to believe. By sharing what a healthy, romantic, queer relationship looks like, David and Tino offer us a way forward to understand and celebrate Modern Kinship.

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"You either walk inside your story and own it,

or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness."

- Brenē Brown