Westminster John Knox Press publishes a coming-out guide for queer Christians
by Westminster John Knox Press | Special to Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — As the recent United Methodist Church’s decision to tighten its ban on allowing LGBTQ clergy and performing same-sex marriage demonstrates, being LGBTQ and Christian can difficult and unwelcoming. But there is hope, and there are affirming faith communities who embrace Christians of all kinds.
Author and LGBTQ advocate Amber Cantorna (the author of “Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Discovering the True Love of God”) empathizes with the feelings of loss, depression, and despair that LGBTQ Christians are feeling. As the gay daughter of a 30-year-plus Focus on the Family executive, Cantorna was cast out of her family and her church when she came out. However, Cantorna found acceptance and healing through her faith and by finding an affirming community to support her during her coming-out journey. Now as part of her work dedicated to reconnecting LGBTQ Christians with their faith, Cantorna has published “Unashamed: A Coming-Out Guide for LGBTQ Christians.”
This practical and rich guide is invaluable for LGBTQ Christians as they consider coming out, and it is a precious tool for the allies who walk alongside them. Cantorna shares the wisdom she’s gained and teaches others about demolishing their internalized homophobia or transphobia, finding or building an affirming faith community, preparing to come out and coming out to loved ones, setting healthy boundaries, and coping with conditional love.
“LGBTQ Christians are desperate for guidance on how to navigate the unexpected journey of coming out,” Cantorna says. “They’ve been backed into a corner by religion, taught to be ashamed of who they are, and have lived in fear of being abandoned by both God and those they love if the truth about their identity leaks out. They want to live authentically, but they lack the needed resources to guide them.”
“Unashamed: A Coming-Out Guide to LGBTQ Christians” is now available from Westminster John Knox Press and other major retailers.
Amber Cantorna is a national speaker, a columnist for Patheos, and the author of “Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Discovering the True Love of God.” As a leader dedicated to supporting LGBTQ people throughout their coming-out process, Cantorna uses her platform to inspire others and works to dissolve shame, foster self-acceptance and generate a message of love and inclusion for all.
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