Resources
A curated collection of resources for Gay Christian, LGBTQ+ Christians, & LGBTQ+ People of faith including guides, books, and support for navigating faith, sexuality, and religious trauma.
Download the FREE “LGBTQ+ Healing
& Resource Guide”
The LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide is designed for LGBTQ+ people of faith who are ready to stop feeling torn between their faith and their identity. It has my full testimony, books to read, podcasts to listen to, people to follow. It’ll point you in the right direction to get you started down the road of healing and feel confident in your identity and your relationship with God.
Please enter your email and check “SIGN UP FOR NEWS AND UPDATES” to get the FREE guide.
Books For LGBTQ+ Christians &
LGBTQ+ People of faith
God and The Gay Christian
by Matthew Vines
Explores how traditional readings of
Scripture don’t necessarily condemn
same-sex relationships, aimed at Christians wanting to reconcile faith and sexuality.
Changing Our Mind: A Call for
Christian Inclusion
by David P. Gushee
Written by a respected Christian ethicist,
this book traces the author’s own journey toward full LGBTQ+ inclusion and offers a thoughtful case for welcoming queer
people in church life.
UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality
by Colby Martin
Breaks down the so-called clobber passages (texts often used to condemn LGBTQ+ identities) and re-interprets them within cultural and historical context.
Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of
Same‑Sex Relationships
by Karen R. Keen
A thoughtful exploration of same‑sex relationships in Christian scripture and ethics,
offering balanced insight and pastoral sensitivity.
Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson
A more academic exploration digging into Scripture and sexual ethics to reframe debates over same-sex relationships.
Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
by David R. Hawkins, MD/PhD
Teaches how to release resistance to emotions to experience greater inner peace and freedom.
Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith
by Mihee Kim-Kort
Encourages readers to see queerness itself as a theological gift, not just something to be reconciled — a more holistic spiritual invite.
Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love
by Elizabeth M. Edman
Draws on queer lived experience to re-envision Christian ethics, offering insight into love, identity, and virtue from a queer perspective.
More resources including podcasts, people, and organizations available in the “LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide” above.
To submit your book to be a resource to this community please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You Can Be Both is a platform, podcast, and growing community for LGBTQ+ Christians and people of faith navigating the intersection of faith and sexuality. It was created by singer/songwriter Lauren Lanzaretta, a proud gay Christian who knows what it’s like to feel torn between identity and belief.
Through honest conversations, real stories, and shared experiences, You Can Be Both exists to help people reconcile their faith and sexuality, find healing, and realize they don’t have to choose between their relationship with God and who they are.
-
Short answer, yes—While this has been made to be a controversial topic and highly debated, it’s actually very simple. God loves you. He created you. He’s guided your life, and you have just as much right as any other person to have a relationship with God.
-
There are a small number of passages often used to talk about homosexuality, but many scholars and theologians believe these verses have been misunderstood or taken out of historical context. The word “homosexual” wasn’t even in the Bible until 1946. The Bible doesn’t speak about sexual orientation the way we understand it today. This is something many LGBTQ+ Christians explore as they deepen their understanding of faith. Also, it’s important to remember, the Bible has a lot more verses about a lot of other things. If gay people are going to hell for simply existing, so is everyone else.
-
No, being gay is not a sin. Sexual orientation in and of itself is not a sin. CAN sexuality BE sinful? Ofcourse, for straight or gay people alike, but simply being LGBTQ+ doesn’t mean you’re sinning. Many LGBTQ+ Christians come to a place of peace by studying Scripture more deeply and understanding the historical and cultural context behind certain verses. We explore this deeper in the podcast.
-
Often, it comes down fear. What i’ve found is that many Christians do not understand scripture, and just believe what they’ve been taught for generations. It’s a false narrative and it often times causes religious abuse - LGBTQ+ people being kicked out of church, rejected by family or friends - and if you actually study scripture, you know that this is against what Christ taught. Christ taught radical love, not hate or rejection.
-
First—take a breath. You don’t have to figure everything out at once. You are not alone. This is a process, and it’s okay to take your time. Healing is not a light switch, it’s a journey - of healing, educating yourself, surrounding yourself with loving & affirming people, and growing closer to God. It can help to talk to someone who understands, explore different perspectives, and give yourself space to process without pressure.
-
Yes. After all you’ve been through, and the rejection and heartbreak you’ve faced, and you’re STILL seeking a relationship with God - He is proud of you and loves you. Your relationship with God is not limited by your identity. Many LGBTQ+ people of faith experience deep connection, purpose, and spirituality. If anything, your journey can lead to an even more honest and authentic relationship with God.
-
That’s more common than you think. Sometimes what feels like “losing faith” is actually questioning what you were taught and beginning to rebuild something more real. Sometimes “deconstruction” leads to “reconstruction” of a stronger, more real relationship with God. You’re allowed to question. You’re allowed to wrestle. That doesn’t disqualify you—it’s part of the journey.
-
You can start with the podcast, the LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide, the books recommended on this page and the community app. There are also affirming churches, online communities, and spaces where LGBTQ+ Christians are supported and celebrated. I list some of these resources in the FREE Healing & Resource Guide.
Have a question?
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or are interested in booking me for a speaking engagement, feel free to reach out.
Send a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.